By Innocent Orok
Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ibafon, Lagos State has handed over seized drugs worth N699,510,000 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA).
According to a press statement from the Command’s Area Controller,
COMPTROLLER O.A SALEFU, the seizures, “Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) was made along our coastal waters and also to handover 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) and 23,000 Capsules of 100mg of Tramadol to NDLEA for further agency action”
Explaining how the feat was achieve, he said “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, information reached the Command that an attempt will be made to smuggle a large shipment of Cannabis Sativa into the Country through our western waterways from a neighboring Country.
“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 (2) Yamaha outboard Engines (40hp each) loaded with 103 Sacks of substances immediately suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)
“The smugglers upon sighting our patrol Team dived into the water and abandoned their Boat with all the items in it which was immediately brought to Western Marine Command Headquarters Ibafon APAPA and found to contain 8,240 parcels (loaves) of Cannabis Sativa having a total weight of 3,811 kg.”
The Duty paid value of the cannabis sativa stands at N692,160,000 with a total weight of 3,811 kilograms. While the duty paid value of the means of conveyance and two Yamaha outboard engines of 40 horse power each stands at N7. 3m. These give a combined duty paid value of N699,510,000 for the entire seizures.
Comptroller Salefu, however condemned the inordinate quest by citizens to get rich by any means necessary which has fueled 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.
“Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service while facilitating Trade continue to stand as the frontier along our waterways to guard the Nation under very strenuous and challenging circumstances against illicit and illegal trade that brings injuries to our economy and health.
“While appreciating the media and the general public for their patriotic and nationalistic reportage, I wish to remind you that we must partner together to rid our Nation of unhealthy and dangerous trade practices that have the potential to bring us down as people.
“Profound appreciation goes to the CGC and his Management Team who have given the Command 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”, he said.
