Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, after allegedly discovering 13 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The dramatic arrest, which has drawn widespread attention, was made at the departure hall of Terminal 2 as the suspect prepared to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. NDLEA officials described the concealment method as one of the most sophisticated attempts to smuggle narcotics through a Nigerian airport in recent times.
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Cocaine Hidden in Fake Plantain Peels
According to a statement issued by the NDLEA, Mrs. Barek, who reportedly works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was intercepted on Sunday, June 28, 2026, during routine passenger screening.
A detailed search of her luggage reportedly uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine that had been expertly packaged to resemble hands of fresh plantains. The drug packages were mixed with genuine food items in an apparent attempt to avoid detection by airport security officers.
The agency said the seized cocaine weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
Investigators believe the unusual concealment method was designed to deceive security personnel by making the narcotics appear like ordinary agricultural produce.
Suspect Allegedly Admits Ownership
NDLEA disclosed that during preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the illicit drugs recovered from her luggage.
The agency did not immediately disclose where the drugs originated from or whether investigators suspect links to a wider international trafficking network.
Further investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the narcotics, intended recipients, and possible accomplices involved in the operation.
If convicted under Nigeria’s drug trafficking laws, the suspect could face severe penalties.
Another Major Drug Bust in Anambra
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives also dismantled an alleged international drug trafficking syndicate operating from Anambra State.
The agency announced the arrest of 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, following the interception of another shipment of cocaine destined for Southeast Asia.
According to NDLEA, officers seized 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms, which had been concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters.
The shipment was reportedly being prepared for export to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through a consolidated cargo arrangement.
Investigators Track Down Alleged Syndicate Leader
The agency explained that the arrest of Nwabueze was the result of an extensive investigation involving multiple suspects across Lagos and Anambra States.
Before identifying the alleged mastermind, NDLEA operatives had already arrested four other individuals believed to have played different roles in the trafficking operation.
Those arrested include:
- Cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez
- Driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, who transported the shipment
- Trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who allegedly handed over the consignment
- Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs
Following further intelligence gathering, investigators reportedly traced the operation to Aziora, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, where Nwabueze was arrested.
NDLEA alleges that he coordinated the trafficking network while pursuing his doctoral studies abroad.
NDLEA Intensifies Crackdown
The latest arrests underscore the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking through Nigeria’s airports, seaports, and cargo export channels.
Over the past few years, the agency has intercepted narcotics concealed in a wide range of everyday items, including footwear, clothing, machinery, beverages, food products, and household goods.
Officials say traffickers continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated methods in an attempt to evade security checks, prompting the agency to invest in improved detection technology and intelligence-led operations.
The NDLEA has repeatedly warned members of the public against participating in Cocaine trafficking, stressing that anyone found guilty under Nigerian law faces lengthy prison terms and other legal consequences.
Investigations Continue
Authorities are continuing investigations into both cases to determine whether additional suspects are involved and whether the drug shipments are linked to larger transnational criminal organizations.
The agency has also pledged to strengthen collaboration with international law enforcement partners to disrupt global drug trafficking networks using Nigeria as a transit route.
The arrests highlight the growing sophistication of international narcotics smuggling operations, while also demonstrating the increasing vigilance of anti-drug authorities in intercepting illicit shipments before they leave the country.
Cocaine
