By Afro Saxon Voice Correspondent in Nigeria
A British woman have been arrested in Nigeria for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilos of cocaine concealed in fake plantains at Murtala Muhammed international airport in Lagos.
Mary Barek,67,a carer from London was taken into custody at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the country’s main airport last Sunday June 28 as she was about to embark on a flight back to UK on Virgin Atlantic.
The Nigeria National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement that they arrested a British grandmother and after a thorough search of her luggage they discovered large wraps of cocaine disguised as hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items.
The Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said: “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.”
Mrs Barek, who is a Briton of Nigerian extraction was returning back to London after a short visit to the West African country to visit her family when she was search and eventually apprehended.
An airport spokesman said that they go all out to search suspicious looking people to stem the flow of dangerous drugs coming and leaving the country.
“We have a job to do and that involves removing all drugs from people who are smuggling it into and out of the country. I say to all those smuggling or attempting to smuggle, please don’t do it because we are going to catch you and we will deal with you. Our officers on the airport take their jobs seriously and always will do.” The spokesman said.
The NDLEA said Barek admitted ownership of the seized drugs during interrogation. “She took full responsibility for the packages” The agency said . “In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits,”
The arrest is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to intercept illicit drug trafficking through Nigeria’s airports and other entry and exit points.
The Foreign office was reached out for comment but was not aware of the arrest.