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NCS Western Marine Command Hands Over Seized Illicit Drugs to NDLEA

 

In its efforts to puncture the evil ranks of smuggling and illicit trade of Cannabis Sativa (otherwise known as Marijuana) along our coastal waters, the Western Marine Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has confisticated 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa and 23,000 Capsules of 100mg of Tramadol and handed over the items to National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further agency action.

 

During the handling over on Thursday, September 7, 2023 in Lagos, Comptroller O.A Salefu, Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command said “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”.

 

In his words; “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”.

Some seized illicit drugs

While valuing the cost of the seized items, Comptroller Salefu put the Duty Paid Value of the cannabis sativa stands at N692,160,000 (Six Hundred and Ninety Two Million, One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only) 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 N7,350,000 (Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only). These according to him give a combined duty paid value of N699, 510,000 (Six Hundred And Ninety Nine Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only) for the entire seizure.

 

“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” he maintained.

 

The Area Controller of Western Marine Command however appreciated the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team for giving the Command the needed motivation and impetus to go after smugglers, performing their statutory responsibilities and also pledged complete loyalty to the NCS Management and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Ajibola Adedoye

 

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