The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mary Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
According to the agency, Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the airport on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said a detailed search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine weighing 13 kilograms. The illicit drugs had been packaged to resemble hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items.
Babafemi said the suspect admitted ownership of the cocaine during interrogation.
The NDLEA also announced the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over an alleged attempt to export cocaine concealed inside cartons of Orijin Bitters bound for Kuala Lumpur.
According to the agency, Onyeka was arrested on June 29 in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State after investigators identified him as the alleged leader of a drug trafficking syndicate.
Babafemi said operatives had earlier intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of the herbal alcoholic drink, which formed part of a consolidated cargo destined for Malaysia.
He added that four suspects were initially arrested in Lagos during the investigation. They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie of ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs.
According to Babafemi, sustained investigations eventually led operatives to Onyeka’s hideout in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was arrested as the suspected leader of the syndicate.
In a separate operation in Taraba State, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area on Saturday, July 4.
The agency said officers recovered 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two specially modified vehicle fuel tanks.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on July 2, where they allegedly recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
