Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mary Yetunde Barek, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, after allegedly discovering 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage.
The suspect, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on Sunday, June 28, 2026, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives subjected her luggage to a thorough search, leading to the discovery of the illicit drugs.
The agency said a total of 31 large wraps of cocaine had been packaged to resemble hands of plantain and concealed among other food items.
“A thorough search of her bags resulted in the discovery of 31 big wraps of cocaine which were packaged to appear like plantain hands, weighing a total of 13 kilograms,” the statement said.
NDLEA said Barek admitted ownership of the recovered drugs during interrogation.
“In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits,” the agency added.
