By IFEOMA Ikem
The Edo State detectives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a vegetable seller with 40 kilograms of cannabis hidden in vegetables.
The suspect, Menewe Grace who lives in Ibadan was arrested along Uzebba -Ifon road on her way to Oyo State with the illicit drugs.
According to a statement by the Command Principal Staff Officer PSO Public Affairs Michel Ofoyeju, the four bags of dried weeds that tested positive to cannabis weighing 40kg were found in a consignment of vegetables like the bitter leaf, pumpkin and pumpkin fruits.
He said that NDLEA Edo State commander, Mr. Wakawa Buba who confirmed the arrest, He said that the suspect was caught while on her way back to Ibadan.
“We have commenced a strategic motorized patrol across the State to intercept cannabis shipment. Drug barons usually target the end of year season sales especially as we are at the peak of harvest season. This arrest is a product of motorized patrol embarked upon by the State command as a counter strategy to intercept illegal movement of narcotic drugs,” he said.
“The target is to promptly cut off supply and prevent drugs from getting to the end users.”
The suspect who hails from Delta State said that she needed money to register her children for secondary school certificate examination.
The suspect, a single mother of seven, said she is to give her children a good education so that they can be successful in life this is my second trip.
According to her, the first time she trafficked cannabis was successful.
“Unfortunately I was caught this time around. My husband left me three years ago with the children that is what led me to this problem.” she said,
The commander decried the involvement of a mother of seven in drug trafficking as setting a bad precedence for her children.
“The suspect will soon be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to those seeking to earn money from criminal acts. It is unacceptable and must be condemned by all,” he added.
Meanwhile the command is making efforts to arrest her friend, the cannabis dealer that sold to her and other accomplices connected to the case.
Efforts are on-going to reduce the drug problem to the barest minimum thereby improving the security of lives and property in the State.