Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mary Yetunde Barek, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect, a United Kingdom-based caregiver, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for London on June 28, 2026.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers subjected the suspect’s luggage to a detailed search after receiving intelligence, leading to the discovery of 31 large cocaine packages carefully moulded to resemble bunches of plantain. The illicit drug weighed a total of 13 kilograms and had been packed alongside genuine food items to evade detection.
During interrogation, Barek reportedly admitted ownership of the narcotics recovered from her luggage.
Malaysian PhD Student Linked to International Cocaine Syndicate Arrested
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old doctoral student of the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State over his alleged involvement in an international cocaine trafficking network.
The arrest followed the interception of a cargo shipment containing 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms. The drugs had been concealed within the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters that formed part of a consolidated consignment destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Investigations initially 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 modified cartons used to conceal the drugs.
The agency said intelligence gathered from the suspects eventually led investigators to Onyeka, who was traced and arrested while hiding in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, in Anambra State. NDLEA described him as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.
Nearly 44,000 Tramadol Capsules Seized in Taraba
In Taraba State, NDLEA officers arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along the Zaki-Biam-Wukari Road after discovering 43,980 capsules of Tramadol hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks.
The arrest was made on July 4 following intelligence reports. Authorities said the suspect was travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, when he was intercepted.
Drug Raids Yield More Arrests Across Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe
The anti-narcotics agency also recorded significant seizures in several states during coordinated operations.
In Kaduna State, officers arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, after recovering 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid in Gwantu.
In Ebonyi State, a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested in Ikwo with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while in Plateau State, 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was apprehended in Kurgwi, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, with 15 kilograms of the same substance.
Meanwhile, in Gombe State, NDLEA operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, in Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area. The suspects were allegedly found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
Marwa Commends Officers
Reacting to the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa noted that the agency’s efforts to reduce drug trafficking continue alongside its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign, urging personnel nationwide to sustain the momentum in combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
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