An 85-year-old woman, Grace Ehimeka, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Edo State after 179 kilogrammes of cannabis were allegedly recovered from her.
The suspect, popularly known as Mama Grace, was among six suspected drug traffickers arrested during coordinated operations in parts of Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchel Ofuyeju, disclosed this on Monday, saying the raids led to the seizure of 407.39 kilogrammes of cannabis and other illicit substances, including loud, tramadol, diazepam and swinol.
Ofuyeju said Ehimeka was arrested at her residence in Warake community on October 16, while other suspects were apprehended in Warake, Ivbiaro and Ewe Uzeba communities following intelligence reports.
He identified the other suspects as Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35. According to him, the suspects were allegedly found with varying quantities of cannabis and other prohibited substances.
The NDLEA commander said Aigberadion was arrested with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis, while Mubid allegedly had cannabis, seeds and assorted pharmaceutical drugs. Garba, Braimoh and Okoro were also arrested with suspected illicit drugs.
Appealing for leniency, Ehimeka reportedly admitted ownership of the cannabis and said she began selling the substance more than two years ago to survive as a widow. She added that her family members had repeatedly advised her to stop the business.
“My family members have warned me to stop, but I kept postponing my decision to stop. Officers, if you give me another chance, I will never sell cannabis again,” she pleaded.
Ofuyeju, however, warned that old age would not excuse involvement in illicit drug trafficking, assuring that the agency would sustain its operations to rid Edo State of prohibited substances and those involved in their distribution.
