An 85-year-old woman, Grace Ehimeka, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State after 179 kilogrammes of cannabis were allegedly recovered from her residence.
Ehimeka, popularly known as Mama Grace, was among six suspected drug traffickers arrested during intelligence-led operations in parts of Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchel Ofuyeju, disclosed this on Monday, stating that the operations resulted in the seizure of 407.39 kilogrammes of cannabis and other suspected illicit substances, including loud, tramadol, diazepam and swinol.
According to Ofuyeju, Ehimeka was arrested in Warake community on October 16, while the other suspects were apprehended in Warake, Ivbiaro and Ewe Uzeba communities.
He identified the other suspects as Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.
The commander said the suspects were allegedly found in possession of varying quantities of cannabis and other prohibited substances.
He added that 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 over their alleged possession of illicit substances.
Appealing for leniency, Ehimeka reportedly admitted ownership of the cannabis, explaining that she started selling the substance more than two years ago to survive as a widow.
She said members of her family had repeatedly advised her to abandon the business but that she had continued to postpone her decision.
“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.
However, Ofuyeju warned that old age would not exempt anyone from the consequences of involvement in illicit drug trafficking.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining its operations against the distribution and sale of prohibited substances across Edo State.
The NDLEA said the operations were aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks and curbing the circulation of illicit substances in the state.
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