The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men aged 84 and 75 in Umuahia, Abia State, over alleged involvement in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to secondary school students.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi.
According to the NDLEA, the first suspect was arrested on Friday following intelligence reports that he was selling illicit substances to students and other members of the public.
Operatives reportedly recovered 4.64kg of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam, during a search of his patent medicine store located at Club Road, Umuahia.
The agency said the suspect allegedly used the shop as a front for distributing controlled drugs
The second suspect, a 75-year-old pensioner, was arrested after being caught by security guards at Saint Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, while allegedly supplying drugs to students.
He was subsequently handed over to the police, who transferred him to the NDLEA on June 18, according to the statement.
Babafemi disclosed that the suspect was caught in possession of illicit substances allegedly intended for teenage students.
During investigation, one of the students—an SS2 pupil aged 15—allegedly confessed that the 84-year-old suspect supplied him with drugs, which he consumed and also sold to classmates.
The NDLEA said the students involved have been placed under counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
Meanwhile, both suspects are expected to face prosecution in court.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives also intercepted a shipment of ADB-Chminaca, a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a dangerous psychoactive substance, at a courier company in Lagos.
The consignment, weighing 9.5kg, was reportedly concealed in a carton and originated from China.
The agency also seized 300 grams of “Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, hidden in ladies’ handbags during another interception at a different logistics firm in Lagos.
