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Grandmother Arrested for Smuggling Cocaine in Fake Plantain

Mrs Mary Barek was caught at Murtala Muhammed International Airport trying to smuggle cocaine disguised as plantain. She faces serious charges.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Mrs Mary Barek. She was allegedly trying to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine hidden in fake plantain peels at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The agency reported that the suspect, who is a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was caught at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on Saturday, June 28. She was about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

On Sunday, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared details about the arrest. He said a detailed search of Mrs Barek's luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine disguised as plantain. These wraps were packed with other food items.

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Babafemi explained, "A thorough search of her bags resulted in the discovery of 31 big wraps of cocaine, which were packaged to appear like hands of plantain, weighing a total of 13 kilograms."

He added that the elderly woman admitted she owned the cocaine found in her bags.

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