The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over 85 bags of intercepted Cannabis sativa, each weighing 40kg, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command.

The Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, who was represented by the Executive Officer, Navy Captain Mutalib Raji, disclosed that the consignments were intercepted on July 14 by NNS Beecroft’s Quick Response Team and the Deep Blue Assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He said the interception was a sequel to credible intelligence received by NNS Beecroft on suspicious activities of some criminal elements who were seen offloading Cannabis sativa from a large wooden boat around Moba Beach in the Badagry area of Lagos State.

“The criminals fled on sighting the team, abandoning the boat laden with 60 bags of Cannabis sativa.

“Further search around the area resulted in the recovery of another 25 bags, making a total of 85 bags weighing over 3,327kg,” he said. Raji explained that the effort was a sequel to the strategic directive of Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain a credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks, to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crime and criminality.

He further warned perpetrators of illicit drugs to desist from such acts as NNS Beecroft will not rest on its oars in pursuing all criminal elements within its area of operation.

This successful seizure of a large quantity of Cannabis sativa, he noted, underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS Beecroft to curtail the spread and use of illicit drugs among youths, which negatively affects their health and threatens national security.