By Chesa Chesa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The agency said the suspect, a United Kingdom-based caregiver, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the airport on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
According to the NDLEA, a thorough search of her luggage led to the discovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine expertly packaged to resemble hands of plantain and hidden among other food items. The illicit drug weighed a total of 13 kilograms.
The agency said the suspect admitted ownership of the cocaine during interrogation.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State over an attempted shipment of cocaine concealed in cartons of Orijin bitters bound for Kuala Lumpur.
The arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms hidden within the walls of nine cartons of the herbal drink, which formed part of a consolidated cargo destined for Malaysia.
The agency said investigations initially led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos: cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who allegedly handed over the consignment, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, accused of supplying the Orijin bitters cartons used to conceal the drugs.
Further investigations eventually traced the alleged mastermind, Nwabueze, to his hometown of Aziora in Ozubulu, Anambra State, where he was apprehended.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area on Saturday, July 4.
The agency said 43,980 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two vehicle fuel tanks specially modified to conceal the drugs. The suspect was reportedly travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA officers arrested two suspects, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area on Thursday, July 2. The duo was allegedly found in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In Ebonyi State, operatives arrested 65-year-old Francis Ifara Eja with 231.7 kilograms of skunk in Ikwo on Saturday, July 4.
Similarly, a 75-year-old suspect, Alhaji Babani, was apprehended in Kurgwi, Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, July 3, with 15 kilograms of skunk.
