NDLEA Arrests Nigerian-British Grandmother with 13kg Cocaine Hidden in Plantain Peels, Nabs Malaysia Drug Syndicate Leader
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels to the United Kingdom. The agency also dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate linked to Malaysia, arrested its alleged mastermind, and recorded multiple major drug seizures across several states.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking with the arrest of a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, who was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in plantain peels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the agency, Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
A detailed search of her luggage led to the discovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine ingeniously packaged to resemble fresh plantain hands 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.
In another major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate attempting to ship cocaine to Malaysia through a consolidated cargo.
The operation culminated in the arrest of 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, during a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on June 29.
Investigations followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur.
The agency had earlier arrested four suspects linked to the shipment in Lagos. They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, who transported the consignment; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who handed the cargo to the driver at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the specially modified cartons used to conceal the drugs.
Further intelligence led operatives to Onyeka's village in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was arrested as the alleged leader of the syndicate.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives on July 4 arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam-Wukari Road after recovering 43,980 capsules of tramadol hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks. The suspect was reportedly 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, recovering 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine from the suspects.
Similarly, operatives in Ebonyi State arrested 65-year-old Francis Ifara Eja with 231.7 kilograms of skunk at Ikwo, while in Plateau State, a 75-year-old suspect, Alhaji Babani, was apprehended with 15 kilograms of skunk at Kurgwi in Qua'anpan Local Government Area.
In Gombe State, two suspects, Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, were arrested at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said it sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign with sensitisation programmes conducted in schools and communities across Anambra, Enugu, Ogun and Kano states.
Commending officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe Commands for the successful operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel across the country to sustain the momentum in reducing drug supply while expanding drug abuse prevention and public enlightenment campaigns.
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