Grandpa, grandma, mother of two, others arrested as NDLEA uncovers UK-bound cocaine in cream containers

A 75-year-old grandpa, a 60-year-old grandma, a mother of two and others were arrested as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered 70 parcels of cocaine concealed within cocoa butter body cream containers destined for London, United Kingdom, as part of a coordinated anti-narcotics operation across several Nigerian states.

The Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement he issued to newsmen on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, a 75-year-old grandfather, Echendu Onuoka, was arrested with 4.7kilogrammes of skunk at Ovum village, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, while a 60-year-old woman, Aukana John, was arrested with 225 grammes of the same substance at Apanta village in the same area.

Babafemi stated further that a cocaine consignments, weighing 3.60 kilogrammes, were discovered on October 14, 2025, during examination of cargoes packaged as personal effects on an Air Peace flight bound for London.

He noted that, a cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, was promptly arrested, adding that investigations led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt.

“In a follow up operation on 18th October, a female healthcare worker Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah was arrested following which Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi & Co, was arrested at his 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA Lagos office on Monday 20th October,” said the statement.