The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has handed over 120 jumbo bags of Indian hemp worth N704m to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Addressing journalists at the command in Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos recently, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Odaudu Salefu, said the contrabands were seized at three different operations.
Salefu explained that the contrabands were intercepted at Jegemo Island opposite Iworo Ajido Waterfront and Asipa Beach along Seme Borders between November 2023 and January 2024.
He decried the influence of drugs and psychotropic substances on Nigerian youths.
The CAC vowed that the command would not rest on its oars in bringing the smugglers to book.
Recall that the NCS in April 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NDLEA to ensure synergy and collaboration in tracking illicit traffic in hard drugs along Nigeria’s entry points.
Salefu stated, “The leadership of the NCS under the current CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, had directed the command to handover a total of 120 sacks containing 10,551 loaves of cannabis sativa with a total value of N704.5m to NDLEA for further agency action.”
He added that the handing over was a product of hard work, dedication, and bravery of officers of the command, who had worked with diligence and integrity to puncture the reign of smugglers of those hard drugs.
“These seizures were also a product of our command’s wide network of intelligence with suspects of these trades still at large but the command will now work with NDLEA to effect the arrest of these wicked traders,” Salefu noted.
He reiterated that the command remained steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic interest by working with sister agencies whenever necessary.
Salefu urged Nigerians to desist from illicit and illegal cross-border trade practices as it was bad for the general economy and health of Nigerians.
While receiving the cannabis, the NDLEA Commander of Narcotics, Paul Ahom, stated that the command had distinguished itself among other commands, especially in the area of suppressing smuggling.
“We highly appreciate your efforts; we commend you and we look forward to having more synergy in fighting drug trafficking on our waterways.
“We should not forget that the waterways are porous; it is not like the land operations. it is equally risky catching smugglers on the waterway,” Ahom declared.
