NDLEA Arrests Nigerian-British Grandma With 13kg Cocaine Hidden In Plantain Peels At Lagos Airport
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs Mary Yetunde Barek, with 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in plantain peels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The suspect, a caregiver based in the UK, was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on Sunday, June 28, 2026, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
During a thorough search of her luggage, NDLEA officers discovered 31 big wraps of cocaine packaged to resemble hands of plantain, hidden among other food items. The drugs weighed 13kg in total.
In her statement, Mrs Barek admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the MMIA Command for the seizure and vowed that the agency will continue to block all drug trafficking routes.
