The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, identified as Mrs. Mary Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, the suspect, who reportedly works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for London.
In a statement issued by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency disclosed that a detailed search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine cleverly packaged to resemble hands of plantain. The illicit drugs were reportedly packed alongside other food items in an apparent attempt to evade security checks. The seized cocaine weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
According to the NDLEA, Mrs. Barek admitted ownership of the narcotics during interrogation after the drugs were recovered from her luggage. In a separate operation, the agency also announced the arrest of Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, over an alleged attempt to export cocaine concealed inside cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur.
Babafemi explained that Onyeka was arrested in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State after investigators identified him as the suspected leader of a drug trafficking syndicate.
The investigation began after NDLEA operatives intercepted a shipment containing 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms, hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of the herbal alcoholic beverage that formed part of a consolidated cargo heading to Malaysia.
The agency stated that four other suspects had earlier been arrested in Lagos during the investigation. They include the cargo agent, Alalade Taiwo Azeez; the driver who transported the consignment, Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; a trader at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the narcotics.
Following further intelligence gathering, NDLEA operatives tracked Onyeka to his hometown in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was eventually arrested. The agency also reported several other successful anti-drug operations across different parts of Nigeria.
In Taraba State, operatives arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area, recovering 43,980 capsules of Tramadol hidden inside specially modified fuel tanks of two vehicles.
In Kaduna State, two suspects, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area, where officers allegedly recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, in Ebonyi State, NDLEA officers arrested Francis Ifara Eja, 65, after allegedly recovering 231.7 kilograms of skunk in Ikwo.
Another suspect, Alhaji Babani, aged 75, was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State with 15 kilograms of skunk, according to the agency. In Gombe State, operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, after recovering 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms during an operation in Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
Beyond its enforcement activities, the NDLEA said it continues to intensify its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through awareness programmes across schools, workplaces, religious centres and local communities.
According to the agency, recent sensitisation campaigns were conducted in 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, Kabuga in Kano State, among other locations.
Commending officers involved in the recent operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the various state commands for combining aggressive drug enforcement with sustained public education initiatives.
He encouraged officers nationwide to maintain the momentum in disrupting drug trafficking networks while strengthening public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing drug abuse and protecting communities across the country.
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