NDLEA Arrests 85-Year-Old for Cannabis, Seizes Tramadol

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested an 85-year-old grandmother in Edo state for alleged cannabis possession. The agency's director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reported that NDLEA operatives intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday, October 16.

During a search, 511.75 grammes of cannabis, known as skunk, were found concealed in a gallon of palm oil in her luggage. Fatimah stated that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, gave her the gallon, leading to Yahaya's arrest at the airport car park.

Additionally, the NDLEA uncovered a significant consignment of 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol hydrochloride at the APM terminals in Apapa, Lagos. This consignment, imported from India and falsely declared as maize starch, was discovered on October 2 during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies.

A forensic test confirmed the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder, valued at over N6.98 billion.