A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother has been arrested by Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The suspect, identified as Mary Barek, was arrested on June 28 at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
According to the NDLEA, Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was subjected to a thorough search after officers became suspicious of her luggage. The inspection uncovered 31 large packages of cocaine weighing a combined 13 kilograms.
Investigators said the drugs had been carefully disguised to resemble hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect admitted ownership of the cocaine during questioning.
The arrest formed part of a broader nationwide anti-drug operation that also led to the dismantling of an alleged drug trafficking syndicate linked to a cocaine shipment destined for Malaysia.
The agency said it later arrested 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, in Anambra State after identifying him as the suspected leader of the syndicate.
Investigators had earlier intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters that were being shipped to Kuala Lumpur. Four other suspects, including a cargo agent, a driver and two alleged accomplices, were arrested before Onyeka was tracked down.
The NDLEA also reported several other successful operations across Nigeria. In Taraba State, operatives intercepted 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed in specially modified fuel tanks of a vehicle. Additional raids in Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe states resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and more than 556 kilograms of cannabis, along with the arrest of multiple suspects.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said it continues to intensify its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse campaign by carrying out education and awareness programmes in schools, workplaces, places of worship and communities.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers involved in the recent operations, urging commands across the country to sustain efforts against drug trafficking while strengthening public awareness initiatives.
