Grandmother, PhD Student Held in Nationwide NDLEA Drug Sweep

​The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, recording a series of major arrests across the country. In operations spanning Lagos to the northeast, the agency intercepted large quantities of narcotics, including a sophisticated attempt by a Nigerian-British grandmother to smuggle cocaine disguised as plantains.

​Airport Drug Bust: 13kg of Cocaine in Fake Plantain

​At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, operatives arrested 67-year-old Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek. The suspect, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was intercepted at Terminal 2 on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

​Upon searching her luggage, NDLEA officials discovered 31 large wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 13 kilograms, meticulously crafted to mimic the appearance of plantain hands and packed alongside legitimate food items. Mrs. Barek has reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.

​Syndicate Kingpin Arrested in Anambra

​In a separate intelligence-led operation, the agency dismantled a drug syndicate attempting to export cocaine to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The operation culminated in the arrest of 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Onyeka was apprehended on June 29 in his village, Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, after investigators identified him as the ringleader. His arrest followed the earlier interception of 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters, which were part of a consolidated cargo. Four other suspects—including a cargo agent, a driver, and two traders—were previously taken into custody in Lagos in connection with the shipment.

​Nationwide Enforcement Surge

​The NDLEA’s recent operational reports reflect a wider effort to combat drug supply across multiple states:

• ​Taraba State: Operatives arrested 30-year-old Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke on July 4 along the Zaki-Biam Road. A search of his vehicle revealed 43,980 capsules of Tramadol hidden within two specially modified fuel tanks.
• ​Gombe State: Dahiru Mohammed (65) and Isiya Lawan (36) were apprehended on July 1 at Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba LGA, with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
• ​Kaduna State: During a raid in Gwantu LGA on July 2, officers recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine from Boniface Agu (65) and Monday Nwaeze (50).
• ​Ebonyi & Plateau: Francis Ifara Eja (65) was arrested in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while in Plateau State, 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was caught with 15 kilograms of the same substance.

​Beyond Enforcement: The WADA Campaign

​NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the various state commands for balancing aggressive enforcement with the ongoing “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) sensitisation campaign.

​Recent awareness programs were conducted at several educational institutions, including Adeola Odutola College in Ogun State and the Federal College of Education Staff Demonstration School in Kano. Marwa charged all officers to maintain this dual-pronged approach, emphasizing that reducing both drug supply and demand remains critical to national security.