…NDLEA intercepts Malaysia-bound cocaine shipments hidden in Orijin Bitters cartons

A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels were discovered in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The suspect, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

A thorough search of her luggage led to the discovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine, carefully packaged to resemble bunches of plantain and weighing a total of 13 kilograms. In her statement, the elderly woman admitted ownership of the seized cocaine.
Meanwhile, a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday, June 29, 2026, led to the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over the seizure of 5.80 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters. The consignment was part of a consolidated cargo destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Nwabueze’s arrest followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms hidden inside the herbal drink cartons.
Earlier investigations had led to the arrest of four suspects in Lagos: cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez; the driver who transported the consignment, Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie, who allegedly handed the shipment to the driver at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the Orijin Bitters cartons used to conceal the drugs.

The investigation eventually led operatives to Nwabueze, who was arrested while hiding in his hometown of Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State. NDLEA identified him as the alleged leader of the drug syndicate.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, on Saturday, July 4, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area. He was found with 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks while travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA officers arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu, Sanga Local Government Area, on Thursday, July 2. They were found in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Similarly, a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested with 231.7 kilograms of skunk in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, on Saturday, July 4, while a 75-year-old suspect, Alhaji Babani, was apprehended with 15 kilograms of skunk at Kurgwi in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, July 3.

In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area on Wednesday, July 1. They were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 556 kilograms.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across the country during the week, delivering awareness lectures to students and staff of Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra State; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu State; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano State, among others.

Commending officers and personnel of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their efforts in reducing drug supply while sustaining WADA sensitisation activities. He urged officers nationwide to continue raising the agency’s operational standards.