The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother following the discovery of 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. The arrest occurred on Sunday, 28 June, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 as she attempted to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
Drugs hidden in plantain peels
According to a statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the drugs were hidden in peels of plantain that appeared real and were packed among other food items. A thorough search of her bags revealed 31 large wraps of cocaine, packaged to look like plantain hands, weighing a total of 13 kilograms. The suspect, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine, Babafemi said.
PhD student arrested in Anambra
In a separate operation on Monday, 29 June, NDLEA operatives in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State arrested a 45-year-old PhD student from the University of Putra, Malaysia, for possession of 5.80 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were concealed in the walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters, a herbal drink, which were part of a consolidated cargo shipment bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine, with a gross weight of 5.80kg, hidden within the carton walls.
Syndicate dismantled
Four suspects were initially arrested in Lagos during the investigation, including a driver who delivered the consignment to the cargo agent. A trader at the ASPANDA market in the Trade Fair Complex handed over the consignment to the driver. An accomplice who supplied the cartons of Orijin bitters used for concealment was also arrested. The investigation led to the main suspect, the PhD student, who was hiding in his village of Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra. Babafemi described him as the leader of the syndicate.
Other seizures across Nigeria
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence on Saturday, 4 July, arrested a suspect with 43,980 capsules of Tramadol. The drugs were concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari Local Government Area, while being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State. In Kaduna State, on Thursday, 2 July, two suspects were arrested with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid at Gwantu, Gwantu Local Government Area. In Ebonyi State, a 65-year-old suspect was nabbed with 231.7 kilograms of skunk on Saturday. In Plateau State, a 75-year-old grandfather was arrested with 15 kilograms of skunk at Kurgwi, Qua'anpan Local Government Area, on Friday, 3 July. In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday arrested two suspects at Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.
WADA sensitisation campaigns
Babafemi noted that commands and formations across the country continue War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities. The NDLEA took the campaign to students and staff of Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano State.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures. He urged officers to continue raising the operational bar.
