A 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman has been arrested after authorities allegedly discovered 13 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Mary Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on 28 June while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

According to the agency, a search of her luggage uncovered 31 wraps of cocaine disguised as hands of plantain and packed with other food items. The cocaine weighed a total of 13 kilogrammes.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs during questioning.

The arrest was announced as part of a series of anti-drug operations carried out by the agency across Nigeria.

The NDLEA also reported the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, who is alleged to have led a drug trafficking syndicate linked to the attempted export of 5.8 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Malaysia.

According to the agency, four suspects were initially arrested in Lagos before investigators tracked Onyeka to Anambra State.

The NDLEA also announced separate arrests and drug seizures in Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe states involving tramadol, methamphetamine, cannabis and skunk.

The agency said it would continue its enforcement operations alongside its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse awareness campaign.