NDLEA Intercepts 13kg of Cocaine Disguised as Plantains
A 67-year-old grandmother and UK-based caregiver has been arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after attempting to smuggle cocaine disguised as plantains onto a flight to London. The suspect, Mary Yetunde Barek, was taken into custody on Sunday, June 28, at Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight.
According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a search of Barek’s luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine that had been moulded to resemble bunches of fresh plantains and hidden among other food items. The total weight of the seized drugs was 13 kilograms. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the narcotics, according to a statement issued by the agency.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown by the NDLEA on drug trafficking networks operating within and outside Nigeria, with several other significant operations reported across the country in recent days.
Coordinated Operations Across Multiple States
In Anambra State, NDLEA operatives uncovered a separate cocaine shipment linked to a Malaysia-bound consignment in Ekwusigo Local Government Area. The investigation led to the arrest of Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old Ph.D student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, on Monday, June 29. Authorities intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms that had been concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters. The consignment was part of a consolidated export cargo destined for Kuala Lumpur.
The operation was the result of months of intelligence-led investigations by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit, working in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service. Four suspects were initially arrested in Lagos during the operation: cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who was accused of supplying the Orijin Bitters cartons used to conceal the drugs. Intelligence gathered from these suspects led operatives to Aziora, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, where Onyeka was arrested. The agency said he allegedly coordinated the drug trafficking syndicate.
Additional Seizures Across the Country
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke on Saturday, July 4, along the Zaki-Biam–Wukari Road. Officers allegedly recovered 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks while Ugwuoke was travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.
In Kaduna State, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested during a raid in Gwantu on Thursday, July 2, with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In Ebonyi State, operatives arrested 65-year-old Francis Ifara Eja with 231.7 kilograms of skunk at Ikwo on Saturday, July 4. A day earlier, 75-year-old Babani was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State with 15 kilograms of skunk.
An intelligence-led operation in Gombe State on Wednesday, July 1, led to the arrest of Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where officers allegedly recovered 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
Agency Maintains Dual Approach of Enforcement and Awareness
Beyond arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its Commands and formations continued the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres, and communities across the country.
Commenting on the operations, NDLEA Chairman and CEO, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures. He said their operations reflected a balance between enforcement and public sensitisation under the WADA campaign. Marwa urged officers across the country to sustain operational momentum against drug trafficking networks and continue raising the bar in the fight against illicit drugs.
Source: Cocaine in the Plantains: UK-Based Grandmother in NDLEA Net