The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs Mary Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

How the Grandmother Was Caught Smuggling Cocaine

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed the arrest today, revealing that the suspect a caregiver based in the United Kingdom  was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

A search of her luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine disguised as hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items.

“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,” Babafemi said. “In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits.”

Malaysia-Based PhD Student Arrested in Separate Cocaine Bust

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, for allegedly attempting to export cocaine hidden inside cartons of Orijin Bitters bound for Kuala Lumpur.

Onyeka was arrested in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, on June 29, after investigators identified him as the alleged leader of a drug trafficking syndicate.

Cocaine Found Hidden in Orijin Bitters Cartons

According to Babafemi, operatives had earlier intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms hidden within the walls of nine cartons of the herbal drink, part of a consolidated cargo destined for Malaysia.

Four Other Suspects Arrested in Lagos

Investigations led to the arrest of four other suspects in Lagos, including:

• Alalade Taiwo Azeez – the cargo agent
• Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi – the driver who conveyed the consignment
• Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie – a trader at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex
• Igwilo Chidi Henry – 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 of Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, as the leader of the syndicate,” Babafemi said.