The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested an 85-year-old woman, Grace Ehimeka, popularly known as Mama Grace, with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis in Warake community, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ehimeka was arrested alongside five other suspected drug traffickers during intelligence-led operations across parts of Edo and Delta states, resulting in the seizure of 407.39 kilogrammes of cannabis and other illicit substances.
The drugs recovered included 546 grammes of loud, 114 grammes of tramadol, four grammes of diazepam and three grammes of swinol.
The other suspects were identified as Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35. They were apprehended in Warake, Ivbiaro, Ewe/Irue and Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ehimeka was arrested at her residence on October 16, 2026. She reportedly admitted ownership of the cannabis in her statement to investigators, explaining that she ventured into the trade following the death of her husband to enable her to survive.
“I am a widow and started selling cannabis over two years ago just to survive. 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 reportedly pleaded.
In a related operation in Ivbiaro community on October 15, operatives arrested Garba with 5.85 kilogrammes of cannabis, while Braimoh was found with 100 grammes of the substance.
Mubid was also arrested in Warake community with two kilogrammes of cannabis, 309 grammes of cannabis seeds, 114 grammes of loud and 135 grammes of assorted pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, swinol and diazepam.
Aigberadion was apprehended in Ewe/Irue, Owan East Local Government Area, on October 16, with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis.
In a separate operation, Okoro was arrested in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, with 237 grammes of loud.
The arrests and seizures form part of the NDLEA’s intensified operations to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse across the country.
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