NDLEA Nabs Nigerian-British Grandma with 13kg Cocaine Hidden in Plantain Peels

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after uncovering 13 kilogrammes of cocaine ingeniously concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage.

The suspect, identified as Mrs Mary Yetunde Barek, was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, a detailed search of her luggage led to the recovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine designed to resemble fresh plantain bunches.

“The suspect, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, admitted ownership of the illicit consignment during interrogation,” the statement noted.

In a related operation, the anti-narcotics agency dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate after arresting a 45-year-old PhD student of the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, described as the mastermind behind an attempt to smuggle cocaine to Malaysia.

The suspect was arrested during a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on June 29, following the interception of 5.8 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur.

NDLEA said investigations had earlier led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos, including cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the narcotics.

The agency said intelligence gathered from the suspects eventually led operatives to Onyeka’s hideout in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was arrested as the alleged leader of the trafficking network.

In Taraba State, NDLEA officers arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, along the Zaki-Biam-Wukari Road after discovering 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks.

The suspect was reportedly transporting the consignment from Onitsha, Anambra State, when he was intercepted on July 4 following credible intelligence.

In Kaduna State, two suspects, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested during a raid in Gwantu with 1.7 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.

Similarly, operatives arrested a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, in Ebonyi State with 231.7 kilogrammes of skunk, while a 75-year-old man, Alhaji Babani, was apprehended in Plateau State after he was found in possession of 15 kilogrammes of the same substance.

The agency also recorded a major seizure in Gombe State, where operatives acting on intelligence arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.

The two suspects were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 556 kilogrammes.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across the country.

The awareness campaign reached institutions including Girls Secondary School, Abagana in Anambra State, Government Technical College, Obe in Enugu State, Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, and the FCE Staff Demonstration School in Kabuga, Kano State.

Commending officers involved in the latest operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the commands for sustaining the agency’s offensive against drug trafficking while maintaining public enlightenment efforts.

Marwa urged officers across the country to continue raising the bar in disrupting drug supply networks and expanding anti-drug awareness campaigns.