The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mary Yetunde Barek, after officers allegedly uncovered 13 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside packages designed to resemble fresh plantains at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspect, who is based in the United Kingdom and works as a caregiver, was intercepted at the departure terminal while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28, 2026.

Following a detailed search of her luggage, NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 31 large parcels of cocaine carefully wrapped to look like bunches of plantains and concealed among food items. The illicit drugs weighed a combined 13 kilograms.

The agency said the suspect admitted ownership of the narcotics during interrogation.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

His arrest followed the interception of a cargo shipment containing 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters that were destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The agency explained that investigations initially led to the arrest of four other suspects in Lagos, including a cargo agent, a delivery driver, a trader and another individual accused of providing the cartons used to conceal the drugs.

Further intelligence eventually identified Onyeka as the alleged leader of the trafficking network, leading to his arrest in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State.

In another operation, NDLEA officers arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State on July 4.

Officers reportedly discovered 43,980 capsules of Tramadol concealed inside two modified vehicle fuel tanks while he was travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The anti-narcotics agency also announced additional arrests across the country.
In Kaduna State, operatives arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, after allegedly recovering 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid in Gwantu.

In Ebonyi State, officers apprehended Francis Ifara Eja, 65, who was allegedly found with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while in Plateau State, a 75-year-old suspect identified as Alhaji Babani was arrested with 15 kilograms of skunk.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives in Gombe State arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where authorities said they recovered 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing approximately 556 kilograms.

Commending officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the commands responsible for the arrests and seizures.

He also urged personnel nationwide to sustain their efforts in reducing the supply of illicit drugs while continuing public sensitisation campaigns under the agency's War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.