Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman after uncovering 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The suspect, a UK-based caregiver, was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on June 28.
According to the agency, a thorough search of her luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine carefully moulded to resemble bunches of plantain, weighing a total of 13 kilograms.
The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs during interrogation.
In a separate operation, the NDLEA dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate linked to a cocaine shipment bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The agency arrested 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State after tracing him through an ongoing investigation.
His arrest followed the seizure of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.8 kilograms hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters meant for export.
Four suspects had earlier been arrested in Lagos, including cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who allegedly handed over the shipment, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, said to have supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs.
Investigators said intelligence gathered from the suspects led them to Onyeka, who was arrested while hiding in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu. The NDLEA identified him as the alleged leader of the syndicate.
In Taraba State, operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area after discovering 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks. He was intercepted on July 4 while travelling from Onitsha based on intelligence.
The agency also made several other arrests across the country.
In Kaduna State, 65-year-old Boniface Agu and 50-year-old Monday Nwaeze were arrested during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area, where officers recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In Ebonyi State, 65-year-old Francis Ifara Eja was arrested in Ikwo with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was apprehended in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area with 15 kilograms of the same substance.
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. The suspects were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
Beyond its enforcement activities, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign by conducting sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities across the country.
The NDLEA said awareness lectures were held at several institutions, including Girls Secondary School in Abagana, Anambra State; Government Technical College in Obe, Enugu State; Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; and FCE Staff Demonstration School in Kabuga, Kano State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers in the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi and Gombe commands for the successful operations and urged personnel nationwide to sustain the fight against drug trafficking while expanding public awareness campaigns.
