NDLEA Busts Nigerian-British Grandma Allegedly Smuggling 13kg Cocaine Hidden In Plantain Peels

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mary Yetunde Barek, after allegedly discovering 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday that Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28, 2026.

According to Babafemi, a detailed search of her luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of suspected cocaine disguised as bunches of plantain, with a combined weight of 13 kilograms.

He added that the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the seized narcotics during questioning.

In a separate operation, the NDLEA said it arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, following the interception of 5.8 kilograms of suspected cocaine hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The agency said Onyeka was arrested in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on June 29 after investigations linked him to the shipment.

According to the statement, four other suspects had earlier been arrested in Lagos during the investigation. They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, who allegedly transported the consignment; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who reportedly handed over the cargo; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the illicit drugs.

The NDLEA said sustained investigations eventually led operatives to Onyeka, whom it identified as the alleged leader of the drug trafficking syndicate.

In Taraba State, the agency said its operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke on July 4 after allegedly recovering 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area. The suspect was reportedly travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The anti-narcotics agency also announced additional arrests across the country.

According to the statement, two suspects—Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50—were arrested in Kaduna State with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid in Gwantu on July 2.

In Ebonyi State, 65-year-old Francis Ifara Eja was reportedly apprehended with 231.7 kilograms of skunk on July 4, while 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was arrested in Plateau State a day earlier with 15 kilograms of the same substance.

The agency further disclosed that operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, in Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State on July 1 after allegedly recovering 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.

Commending officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised personnel from the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa said the agency’s efforts to curb drug trafficking remain complemented by its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign, urging operatives nationwide to sustain the momentum in tackling illicit drug activities.