By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandma following the discovery of 13kg of cocaine in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

The anti-drug agency said that the drugs were concealed in peels of plantain which appeared as real plantains and packed among other food items.

Babafemi said that the suspect who works as a caregiver in the UK was arrested at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London on Sunday, June 28.

He said that 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.

“In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits,” he said.

In another development, he said, a sting operation in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday, June 29 has resulted in the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia over the seizure of 5.80kg of cocaine.

Babafemi said that the drugs were concealed in walls of nine cartons of Orijin bitters, a consignment that was part of a consolidated cargo heading to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He said that the arrest of the suspect in Anambra followed the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine, with a gross weight of 5.80kg, concealed within the walls of the herbal drink cartons.

“Four suspects initially arrested in parts of Lagos during investigations including a driver who conveyed the consignment to the cargo agent.

“Also a trader at ASPANDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos who handed over the consignment to the driver for delivery to the cargo agent.

“There was also an accomplice who supplied the cartons of Origin bitters used in concealing the cocaine.

“The efforts eventually paid off, leading to the unmasking of the main suspect hiding in his village Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra as the leader of the syndicate,” he said.

In another development, in Taraba, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Saturday, July 4 arrested a suspect with 43,980 capsules of Tramadol.

Babafemi said that the drugs were concealed inside two vehicle fuel tanks along Zaki-biam road Wukari Local Government Area of the state, while coming from Onitsha, Anambra state.

“Two suspects were arrested in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine by NDLEA officers on Thursday, July 2 during a raid operation at Gwantu, Gwantu LGA Kaduna state.

“A 65-year-old suspect was nabbed with 231.7kg skunk at Ikwo, Ebonyi state on Saturday,” he said.

Similarly, a 75-year-old grandpa was arrested in possession of 15kg skunk at Kurgwi, Qua’anpan Local Government Area, (LGA), Plateau on Friday, July 3.

Additionally, in Gombe State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Wednesday, arrested two suspects at Kuri village, Yamaltu-Deba LGA, where they were found with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 556kg.

With the same level of dedication, Babafemi said that commands and formations of the agency across the country have continued the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.

The campaigns, he said were carried out in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

The NDLEA, he added took the campaign to students and staff of Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu.

Others are the Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun state; and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano states, among others.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men of MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures.

He tasked officers to continue to raise the operational bar. (NAN)

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