The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
According to the agency, the suspect, Mary Yetunde Barek, was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. She is said to be a caregiver based in the United Kingdom.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said officers who searched her luggage recovered 31 large wraps of suspected cocaine carefully moulded to resemble hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items. The illicit substance weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
The agency stated that the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the recovered drugs during preliminary questioning. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
The arrest formed part of a series of anti-narcotics operations carried out across the country. In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspected drug trafficking syndicate leader in Anambra State over an alleged attempt to export 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cartons of herbal alcoholic beverages destined for Malaysia.
Other operations conducted in Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Ebonyi and Gombe states also resulted in the seizure of suspected illicit drugs, including tramadol capsules, methamphetamine and cannabis, alongside the arrest of multiple suspects.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers involved in the operations and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening enforcement efforts while expanding public awareness campaigns against drug abuse and trafficking.
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