LAGOS/ABUJA โ Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother with 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in plantain peels, and uncovered a Malaysia-bound drug syndicate led by a PhD student in Anambra State.
NDLEA spokesperson said the elderly suspect, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was arrested on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the departure hall of Terminal 2, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
During a search of her luggage, officers discovered 31 large wraps of cocaine packaged to resemble hands of plantain and hidden among food items. The total weight was 13kg. In her statement, Barek admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.
In a related operation, NDLEA arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, in Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State on Monday, June 29. He is alleged to be the mastermind of a syndicate that concealed 5.80kg of cocaine inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters meant for export to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The interception began in Lagos with the arrest of four accomplices: cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie of ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs. Investigations led operatives to Onyeka, who was found hiding in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State.
In other seizures across the country between July 1 and July 4:
- Taraba: Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, was arrested on Zaki-biam road, Wukari LGA, with 43,980 capsules of Tramadol hidden in two vehicle fuel tanks. The drugs were coming from Onitsha, Anambra State.
- Kaduna: Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested in Gwantu with 1.7kg of methamphetamine.
- Ebonyi: Francis Ifara Eja, 65, was nabbed in Ikwo with 231.7kg of skunk.
- Plateau: Alhaji Babani, 75, was arrested in Kurgwi, Quaโanpan LGA, with 15kg of skunk.
- Gombe: Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, were arrested in Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba LGA, with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556kg.
NDLEA Commands also intensified War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization in schools and communities, including Girls Secondary School Abagana, Anambra; Government Technical College Obe, Enugu; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun; and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano.
Commending the officers, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the arrests reflected the agencyโs balanced approach of drug supply reduction and prevention advocacy, and charged personnel nationwide to sustain the momentum.
