The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested an 85-year-old grandmother, Grace Ehimeka, also known as Mama Grace, with 15 bags of cannabis weighing 179kg.

She was apprehended on October 16, 2026, in her house at Warake community in Owan East Local Government Area.

The NDLEA Commander in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Ehimeka was arrested alongside five other suspected drug traffickers during coordinated raids in Warake, Ivbiaro and Ewe/Irue communities.

The operations led to the seizure of a total of 407.39kg of cannabis, 546g of loud, 114g of tramadol, 4g of diazepam and 3g of Swinol.

The other suspects are Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.

Ofoyeju said the agency would not excuse criminal activity on the grounds of age.

“The NDLEA Act is clear: you cannot hide under the canopy of old age and perpetrate acts that violate the law.

The octogenarian, Grace Ehimeka, was apprehended on October 16, 2026, in her house at Warake community.

This is a bad example for her children and grandchildren,” he said.

In her statement, Ehimeka admitted ownership of the drugs and pleaded for forgiveness.

“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 said.