Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The agency said Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the airport while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
According to the NDLEA, officers who conducted a thorough search of her luggage discovered 31 large wraps of cocaine carefully packaged to resemble hands of plantain and hidden among other food items.
The illicit drug weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
The agency said the suspect admitted ownership of the seized cocaine during interrogation.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over his alleged involvement in an international cocaine trafficking syndicate.
The suspect was arrested during a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday, June 29, 2026.
His arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters. The consignment formed part of a consolidated cargo destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The agency said investigations initially led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos, including cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, who transported the consignment; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie of ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, who handed the cargo to the driver; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the Orijin Bitters cartons used to conceal the cocaine.
According to the NDLEA, sustained intelligence and follow-up investigations eventually led operatives to Onyeka, who was traced to his village, Aziora in Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was arrested.
The agency identified Onyeka as the alleged leader of the drug trafficking syndicate.
The NDLEA said investigations into both cases are ongoing.
