The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 101-year-old Esther Ogunmabo for allegedly selling c@nnabis in Ilisan, Ogun State.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Ogunmabo was arrested on Saturday, August 15, with 90 grammes of sk¥nk, a strain of c@nnabis, packaged in small retail sachets.
The agency said the centenarian told operatives that she turned to selling illicit drugs after a fire destroyed her provisions shop, leaving her without a source of livelihood. She reportedly said one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with the c@nnabis every four days, which she then sold in small quantities to locals.
Following her arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed under counselling due to her advanced age. Her daughter was also arrested in connection with the alleged drug dealing.
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat on the high seas on Friday, August 21, allegedly transporting illicit drugs to fishing settlements in Cameroon.
Three suspects were arrested aboard the boat, reportedly heading to Ine Isu, Ine Mbah and Ine Ikot Itie Udung fishing ports in Cameroon.
The suspects were identified as 29-year-old Etima Effiong Eekpo, allegedly found with 1.120kg of sk¥nk; 33-year-old Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh, with 42.060kg of sk¥nk; and 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John.
John was allegedly found with 20 grammes of c%caine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu, alongside 435 grammes of sk¥nk.
The NDLEA said a total of 42.622kg of n@rcotics was recovered from the three suspects during the operation.
