The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command on Tuesday, handed over three suspects and 1,658 loaves of cannabis sativa, weighing 788 kilograms, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seizures, alongside other confiscated contraband, had a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N182.1 million.
The handover ceremony, held in Lagos, was presided over by Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command.
Addressing journalists, Bamisaiye described the cannabis seizures as a result of three separate anti-smuggling operations conducted in November at Ijegun Waterside, Bar Beach, and Ekare Beach Front.
“These operations are in direct enforcement of provisions of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. The seized cannabis sativa and arrested suspects will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.
In addition to the intercepted cannabis, the Western Marine Command reported other significant seizures during November including 295 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, seven bags of 50kg refined granulated foreign sugar, 386 bottles of 300ml codeine syrup and 900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The rice and sugar were confiscated during separate operations at Point of No Return in Badagry and Panko Ere waterfronts. The codeine syrup, seized along the Yekeme-Joforo waterways, was handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The intercepted PMS, Bamisaiye noted, had been disposed of in accordance with extant laws. He also highlighted the damaging effects of smuggling on the nation’s economy, particularly the trafficking of hard drugs.
“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,” Bamisaiye warned.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the waterways are free of economic saboteurs, urging citizens to support anti-smuggling efforts.
The new NDLEA Commander for the Western Marine Command, Udoh Morrison, received the suspects and cannabis, commending the NCS for its diligence in combating drug trafficking.
Morrison expressed optimism about deepening the partnership between the NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies. He emphasised his agency’s ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, which had transferred 2.9 tonnes of cannabis sativa to the NDLEA since he assumed office.
“We aim to foster mutual benefits through our cooperation with Customs and other stakeholders. To enhance our efficiency, we seek a dedicated operational space within the Western Marine Command,” Morrison added.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC’s representative, Isha Salihu, lauded the NCS for its proactive measures in intercepting unwholesome food items and counterfeit drugs, pledging closer collaboration to curb illicit trade.