NDLEA Nabs Nigerian-British Grandmother for Alleged 13kg Cocaine Smuggling Attempt
NDLEA Nabs Nigerian-British Grandmother for Alleged 13kg Cocaine Smuggling Attempt
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mary Yetunde Barek, over an alleged attempt to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The suspect, who is based in the United Kingdom and works as a caregiver, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the airport’s Terminal 2 while preparing to board a flight to London. During a routine baggage inspection, officers reportedly discovered 31 parcels of cocaine ingeniously packaged to resemble dried plantain peels and hidden among food items.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the illicit consignment during preliminary interrogation. The agency said investigations are ongoing to uncover other individuals connected to the trafficking network.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a doctoral student at the University of Putra Malaysia, over an alleged attempt to export 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside cartons of herbal alcoholic drinks bound for Malaysia. The investigation reportedly led to the arrest of four additional suspects in Lagos before the alleged kingpin was traced and apprehended in Anambra State.
The agency also disclosed that several coordinated anti-drug operations across Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe states resulted in the seizure of large quantities of tramadol, methamphetamine and cannabis, alongside the arrest of multiple suspects linked to drug trafficking activities.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers involved in the successful operations and urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking while intensifying public enlightenment through its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
