Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, 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.
According to the agency, Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
A thorough search of her luggage reportedly led to the discovery of 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 suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the cocaine during interrogation.
PhD Student Arrested Over Cocaine Shipment to Malaysia
In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old PhD student of the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State over an attempt to export 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine hidden within the cartons of the herbal drink.
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, who handed over the consignment; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs.
Further investigations eventually traced Onyeka to his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, in Anambra State, where he was arrested. NDLEA identified him as the alleged leader of the drug trafficking syndicate.
Multiple Drug Seizures Across States
The agency also recorded several other arrests and seizures across the country.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area on Saturday, July 4. He was allegedly found transporting 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks while travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.
In Kaduna State, officers arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on Thursday, July 2. The suspects were allegedly found in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In Ebonyi State, a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested with 231.7 kilograms of skunk at Ikwo on Saturday, July 4.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives in Plateau State arrested 75-year-old Alhaji Babani with 15 kilograms of skunk in Kurgwi, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, on Friday, July 3.
In Gombe State, officers acting on intelligence arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area on Wednesday, July 1. The suspects were allegedly found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
NDLEA Sustains Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities nationwide.
During the past week, awareness lectures were conducted at Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra State; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu State; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; and the FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano State, among others.
Commending officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi and Gombe Commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their efforts in drug supply reduction and public sensitisation.
He urged officers across the country to sustain the momentum and continue raising the agency’s operational standards in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
