Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after she was allegedly caught with 13 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed inside fake plantain peels.
The suspect was intercepted during routine security checks while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London, in a case that has shocked many due to her age and dual nationality.
According to NDLEA officials, the arrest took place on Sunday, June 28, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 following a detailed inspection of her luggage. Officers reportedly became suspicious after scanning her bags, leading to a physical search that uncovered several wraps of cocaine hidden in a way that mimicked food items commonly carried by travellers, including plantain peels and other packaged goods.
Further investigation by the agency revealed that the illicit substance had been carefully packaged into multiple portions, totalling 13 kilograms, suggesting a coordinated attempt to evade airport detection systems.
The NDLEA noted that such concealment methods are part of evolving strategies used by drug trafficking networks to exploit innocent-looking food items and personal belongings.
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The agency also disclosed that the suspect, who reportedly works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, admitted ownership of the seized drugs during preliminary questioning. Her arrest has since sparked widespread attention both in Nigeria and abroad, as authorities continue to investigate possible links to international drug trafficking syndicates operating between West Africa and Europe.
NDLEA Expands Crackdown on Drug Smuggling Networks
In response to the growing sophistication of drug trafficking methods, the NDLEA has intensified its nationwide operations, focusing on airports, seaports, and border routes. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling international drug syndicates while also educating the public through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign aimed at reducing drug consumption and trafficking across Nigeria.