Nigerian-British Grandmother Arrested with 13kg Cocaine Hidden in Plantain Peels at Lagos Airport

Authorities in Nigeria have apprehended a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, identified as Mary Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a substantial quantity of cocaine. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported the arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, June 28, as Barek was preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

NDLEA officials stated that a thorough search of Barek's luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine. These drugs were cleverly concealed within fake plantain peels and packed alongside other food items. The total weight of the seized cocaine amounted to 13 kilograms. In her statement to investigators, the suspect reportedly admitted to owning the illicit substance.

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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 plantain hands, weighing a total of 13 kilograms.

Barek, who reportedly works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested in the departure hall of Terminal 2. The NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, detailed the operation, highlighting the agency's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.

In separate operations, the NDLEA also reported the arrest of Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia. Onyeka was apprehended in Anambra State for allegedly leading a drug trafficking syndicate attempting to export cocaine hidden within cartons of Orijin Bitters to Kuala Lumpur. Investigations into this case led to the arrest of four other individuals in Lagos who were involved in the logistics of the shipment. The agency also reported drug seizures and arrests in Taraba and Kaduna states, involving Tramadol and methamphetamine.

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