Seizure: Customs’ Marine Command hands over 120 bags of over N704 million cannabis to NDLEA
Seizure: Customs' Marine Command hands over 120 bags of over N704 million cannabis to NDLEA
Segun Oladipupo
The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, handed over 120 bags of cannabis Sativa worth N704,518,000 to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
The handing over is in keeping with the Memorandum.of Understanding reached with the latter.
During the ceremony, the Comptroller of the command, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu explained that the seized drugs were intercepted at three different locations namely: Jegemo Island opposite Iwori, Ajido waterfront and Asipa Beach along Seem border on the November 29, 2023, December 2, 2023 and January 19, 2024.
The added that the seized items is estimated at N704,518,000.
He therefore commended the officers and men of the command for their bravery, dedication, integrity and diligence in puncturing the activities of the smugglers.
He averred that the officers and men of his command are steadfast, committed to safeguarding that nation’s economy by working closely with other relevant agencies of government.
The Controller however urged Nigerians to desist from illicit cross border trade practices even as he maintained that the Service would continue to render smuggling activities useless.
According to him, the seizure is a product of the commands ‘s wide network of intelligence saying that the suspects of the illicit trade are still at large.
He commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi for upholding the spirit of the MoU between Customs and NDLEA pointing out that both agencies of the government have signed an agreement to work and ensure synergy in tackling hard drug smuggling into the nation’s entry and exit points .
His words, “Today’s event is a product of the hard work, dedication and bravery of my officers who have worked with diligence and integrity to puncture the reign of smugglers of these hard drugs. This seizure is also a product of our command’s wide network of intelligence with suspects of these trade still at large but the command will now work with NDLEA to effect the arrest of these wicked traders,” the Area Controller said
While receiving the seizures, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Paul Ahon, commended the Western Marine Customs for its synergy with the drug enforcement agency.
The NDLEA boss stated the agency would continue to build on its partnership with Customs in a bid to curb the smuggling of drugs into the country, pointing out that the collaborative efforts of the two agencies in trying to rid the nation of illegal substances and their harmful effects and promised to continue to cement the relationship for the betterment of the nation.
