A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after operatives uncovered 13 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed in fake plantain peels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The suspect, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28.
According to the NDLEA, Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, had packed the cocaine to resemble fresh plantain hands and concealed them among other food items in her luggage.
A thorough search of the bags led to the recovery of 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 13 kilograms. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit drug.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate attempting to smuggle cocaine to Malaysia through a consolidated cargo shipment.
The agency said a 45-year-old Ph.D student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, was arrested in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State after investigations linked him to 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters bound for Kuala Lumpur.
The arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine hidden within the herbal drink cartons.
Four suspects were earlier arrested in Lagos during investigations.
They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, who transported the consignment; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who handed it over for delivery; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the Orijin bitters cartons used to conceal the drugs.
The agency said sustained investigations led operatives to Onyeka, who was arrested in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, in Anambra State, where he was identified as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.
In Taraba State, NDLEA officers on July 4 arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area after recovering 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks. He was said to be travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.
Read also:
- NDLEA Alerts Public Against Fake Vehicle Auction Offers, Fraudsters Impersonating Officials
- NDLEA Takes Custody Of 6,778.5kg Canadian Loud Seized At Lagos Port
- Marwa Inaugurates Weapon Handling Training For NDLEA Officers, Inducts AK-47 Rifles After 36 Years
In Kaduna State, operatives arrested Boniface Agu, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu, where they were found with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Another suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State with 15 kilograms of the same substance.
Also in Gombe State, NDLEA operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, at Kuri Village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area after recovering 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
