NDLEA arrests 67-year-old with cocaine hidden in fake plantain

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a series of significant drug seizures and arrests across the country. In a notable operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, identified as Mrs. Mary Barek, was apprehended while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

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A thorough search of her bags resulted in the discovery of 31 big wraps of cocaine, which were packaged to appear like hands of plantain, weighing a total of 13 kilograms.

Barek was found to be carrying 13 kilograms of cocaine meticulously concealed within fake plantain peels. According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, the cocaine was packaged to resemble hands of plantain and was discovered among other food items in her luggage. The suspect, who reportedly works as a caregiver in the UK, admitted to owning the illicit substance.

In a separate incident, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, was arrested in Anambra State. He is accused of leading a drug trafficking syndicate that attempted to export cocaine hidden inside cartons of Orijin Bitters to Kuala Lumpur. The NDLEA intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed within the walls of these cartons. The investigation led to the unmasking of Onyeka, who was reportedly hiding in his village.

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In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits.

The agency also reported arrests in Taraba and Kaduna states. In Taraba, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, was arrested with 43,980 Tramadol capsules hidden in modified fuel tanks. In Kaduna, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. These operations underscore the NDLEA's continuous efforts to combat drug trafficking networks operating within and from Nigeria.

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The efforts eventually paid off, leading to the unmasking of Nwabueze, who was hiding in his village, Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, as the leader of the syndicate.