NDLEA Nabs 67-Year-Old Grandmother With Cocaine Hidden In Fake Plantains

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman after operatives uncovered 13 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The suspect, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was apprehended at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28, 2026.

According to the agency, in a statement on Sunday, a detailed search of her luggage led to the recovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine, carefully packaged to resemble hands of plantain, with a combined weight of 13 kilograms.

During interrogation, Barek reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Seizes 2,530kg Of Illicit Drugs, Arrests 382 Suspects In Taraba

In another operation, NDLEA operatives dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate linked to a shipment destined for Kuala Lumpur, arresting 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

His arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms, concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters intended for export to Malaysia.

Investigators had earlier arrested four suspects in Lagos during the course of the investigation. They include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who handed over the consignment, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, accused of supplying the cartons used to conceal the cocaine.

The agency said intelligence gathered from the suspects eventually led operatives to Onyeka, who was arrested while hiding in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, in Anambra State. NDLEA identified him as the alleged leader of the trafficking syndicate.

In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along the Zaki-Biam Road in the Wukari Local Government Area after discovering 43,980 capsules of tramadol hidden inside two vehicle fuel tanks.

The suspect was intercepted on July 4 while travelling from Onitsha, following actionable intelligence.

In Kaduna State, operatives arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on July 2, recovering 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Another suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, 65, was arrested in Ikwo on July 4 with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area on July 3 with 15 kilograms of skunk.

In Gombe State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area on July 1.

The duo was found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms, according to the agency.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands across the country sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.

The agency said awareness lectures were held at Girls Secondary School, Abagana in Anambra State, Government Technical College, Obe in Enugu State, Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga in Kano State, among other institutions.

Commending officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi and Gombe Commands for the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised their efforts in reducing drug supply while sustaining public sensitisation campaigns.

Marwa urged officers across the country to maintain the momentum and continue raising the agency’s operational standards in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

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