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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mary Yetunde Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom (UK) by concealing the illicit drug in fake plantain peels.
The agency also announced the arrest of a PhD student allegedly linked to an international cocaine trafficking syndicate, as well as several other suspects in separate anti-drug operations across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said Barek was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
“A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandma, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery of 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in peels of plantain which appeared as real plantains and packed among other food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos,” Babafemi said.
According to him, Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested on June 28 after NDLEA operatives searched her luggage. Babafemi added that she admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits.
The NDLEA also announced the arrest of 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, over an alleged attempt to export cocaine concealed in cartons of Orijin bitters to Malaysia.
According to the agency, Onyeka was arrested in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State after investigators traced him as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.
“A sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State… resulted in the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over the seizure of 5.80 kilograms of cocaine concealed in walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters,” Babafemi said.
He explained that the drug shipment formed part of a consolidated cargo destined for Kuala Lumpur.
The agency said investigations initially led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos, including a cargo agent, a driver, a trader at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, and another suspect who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs.
“The efforts eventually paid off, leading to the unmasking of Nwabueze hiding in his village Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, as the leader of the syndicate,” he added.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers also intercepted 43,980 capsules of tramadol hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks during an operation along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He identified the suspect as 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, who was arrested on July 4 while travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.
In Kaduna State, the agency arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, after allegedly recovering 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid in Gwantu.
The statement added that a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested with 231.7 kilograms of skunk in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Similarly, “a 75-year-old grandpa, Alhaji Babani, was arrested in possession of 15kg skunk at Kurgwi, Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State,” Babafemi said.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where they allegedly recovered 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
The agency said the arrests were made following intelligence-led operations as it continues its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.
