Operatives of the Western Marine Command , Nigeria Customs Service, on Thursday 7th September 2023 handed over 8,240 parcels of cannabis sativa also known as marijuana and 23,000 100mg of tramadol to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Speaking at the hand over ceremony at the Command’s headquarters in Ibafon , Customs Area Controller WMC , Comptroller O.A Salefu noted that on Thursday 3rd August 2023, at about 0400hrs the Command upon a follow-up on one of its numerous lead, received credible intelligence, that a crime was about to be committed, noting that information reached the Command that an attempt will be made to smuggle a large shipment of cannabis sativa into the country through the western waterways from a neighboring country.
Based on the information, Comptroller Salefu stated that the command immediately assembled a joint patrol team of marine patrol officers and set out towards the Ibeju Lekki deep Sea costal water where they intercepted and arrested one wooden boat with two Yamaha outboard engines (40hp each) loaded with 103 sacks of substances immediately suspected to be cannabis sativa (Marijuana).
According to him, the smugglers upon sighting patrol team of Customs dived into the water and abandoned their boat with all the items in it which was immediately brought to Western Marine Command Headquarters Ibafon .
He said items contain 8,240 parcels (loaves) of Cannabis Sativa having a total weight of 3,811 kg.
The seized illicit drugs , the Controller explained has the Duty Paid Value DPV) of N692,160,000 with a total weight of 3,811 kilogramme while the duty paid value of the means of conveyance and two Yamaha outboard engines of 40 horse power each stands at N7,350,000 .
He further stated that ” the combined duty paid value of the entire seizure stood at N699,510,000 (Six Hundred And Ninety Nine Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only) ”
“The inordinate quest by citizens to get rich by any means necessary fuels the menace of smuggling, citizens must understand that smuggling is injurious to our economy and smuggling of hard drugs has even more devastating effect on our health and the economy.”he reiterated.
The Western Marine Command boss affirmed that facilitating trade continue to stand as the frontier along the waterways to guard the nation under very strenuous and challenging circumstances against pointing out that illegal trade brings injury to the nation’s economy and health hazards.
He further appreciated management of the service for the needed motivation and impetus to go after smugglers, performing our statutory responsibilities and we pledge our loyalty to the NCS Management and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The controller also warned smugglers to get themselves involve in legitimate business adding that the amphibious arm of the customs is battle ready to rid the waterways of smuggling activities.
Receiving the seized drugs from customs, Commander, Marine Under, NDLEA, Paul Ahom expressed satisfaction over the seizures made by operatives of the customs beachcombers.
Highpoints of the brief ceremony was the letter of commendation presented to five personnel involved in the seizures.and signing of the handing over document between the two agencies of government.
By Roland Ekama
