The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandma, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek for attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine from Nigeria to London.
The suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, 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.
Spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement obtained by Vital News on Sunday.
He said Mrs Mary Yetunde Barek who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom was arrested on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the airport while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London.
“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.
“In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits,” Babafemi said.
In another development, the agency said a sting operation carried out by it’s operatives in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday, 29th June 2026 has resulted in the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka.
The statement said Nwabueze Felix Onyeka was arrested in connection with the seizure of 5.80 kilograms of cocaine concealed in walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters, a consignment that was part of a consolidated cargo heading to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“The arrest of Nwabueze in Anambra state followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine, with a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms, concealed within the walls of the herbal drink cartons.
“Four suspects initially arrested in parts of Lagos during investigations include: the cargo agent, Alalade Taiwo Azeez; the driver who conveyed the consignment to the cargo agent, Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; a trader at ASPANDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos who handed over the consignment to the driver for delivery to the cargo agent, Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie and an accomplice who supplied the cartons of Origin bitters used in concealing the cocaine, Igwilo Chidi Henry.
“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.
“In Taraba, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Saturday, 4th July arrested a suspect, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, with 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks along Zaki-biam road, Wukari Local Government Area of the state, while coming from Onitsha, Anambra State.
“Two suspects: Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine by NDLEA officers on Thursday, 2nd July during a raid operation at Gwantu, Gwantu LGA Kaduna State, while a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja was nabbed with 231.7kg skunk at Ikwo, Ebonyi State on Saturday, 4th July. Similarly, a 75-year-old grandpa, Alhaji Babani was arrested in possession of 15kg skunk at Kurgwi, Qua’anpan LGA, Plateau State on Friday, 3rd July.
“In Gombe, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Wednesday, 1st July arrested the duo of Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village, Yamaltu- Deba LGA, where they were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 556 kilograms,” the statement said.
Babafemi also disclosed that the various commands and formations of the Agency across the country also scaled up their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities during the week under review.
He said the sensitization activities were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
“These include WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun state; and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano state, among others,” he said.
In his reaction to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, retired Brig. -Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended officers and men of MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe Commands for their efforts.
Marwa noted that their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities, charging them and their compatriots across the country to continue to raise the operational bar.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
