The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 120 sacks of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) worth N704 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Speaking during the handover ceremony yesterday, Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Salefu Odaudu, explained that the sacks contained 10,551 loaves of Cannabis sativa.
Odaudu said the seizures were made in three different operations at Jegemo Island opposite Iworo Ajido Waterfront and Asipa Beach along Seme borders, on November 29, 2023, December 2, 2023 and January 19, 2024.
He said the handover was in line with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Customs and NDLEA, signed in April 2023 to ensure synergy and collaboration in tackling illicit traffic of hard drugs along Nigeria’s entry and exit points.
“Today’s event is a product of hard work, dedication and bravery of our 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 the command’s wide network of intelligence. Suspects of this trade are still at large, but the command will now work with NDLEA to effect the arrest of these wicked traders,” the Area Controller said.
Odaudu admonished Nigerians to desist from illicit and illegal cross border trade practices, stressing that it has huge consequences for the general economy and health of the citizens.
Receiving the seized illicit drugs, Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Paul Ahon, commended the Western Marine Customs for its synergy with the drug enforcement agency.
Ahon assured that NDLEA would continue to build on its partnership with Customs to curb smuggling of drugs into the country.
