Western Marine Command Hands Over 8,240 Parcel Seized Marijuana to NDLEA

Joy Mmereole Okoli

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS ) on Thursday, September 7th handed over seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana ) and 23,000 Capsules of 100mg of Tramadol to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Command's headquarters, Ibafon, Lagos. The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller O. A Salefu said that on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 at about 0400hrs the Command upon a follow-up on one of its numerous operations , received credible information , that a crime was about to be committed, information reached the Command that an attempt is been made to smuggle in a large shipment of Cannabis Sativa into the Country through our western waterways from a neighboring Country.

Salefu mentioned that the Duty Paid Value of the Marijuana is a total weight of 3,811 kilograms is Six Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only, N692,160,000, that of the means of conveyance, two Yamaha outboard engines of 40 horsepower each, stands at Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only, N7,350,000; amounting to a combined DPV of Six Hundred And Ninety-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only N699,510,000

"The Command upon a follow-up on one of its numerous leads, 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.

“The Command immediately assembled a joint patrol Team of Marine patrol Officers and set out towards the Ibeju Lekki Deep Sea coastal water where they intercepted and arrested one wooden Boat with Two, 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.

“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 horsepower each stands at N7,350,000, Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only. These 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.”

The customs marine boss expressed dismaarethat while the government and goodwill populace are making efforts to show up the national economy, some undesirable elements are involved in driving the very reverse through criminal economic activities, even as he warned the unscrupulous elements to desist and embrace legitimate trade.

“The inordinate quest by citizens to get rich by any means necessary fuels the menace of smuggling, 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.

“Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service while facilitating Trade continues 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 warned smugglers to desist from illegitimate business saying that the amphibious arm of the Customs is battle-ready to rid the waterways of smuggling activities.

While appreciating the general public for their patriotic and nationalistic duty, I wish to remind you that we must partner together to rid our Nation of unhealthy and dangerous trade practices that have the potential to bring us down as people.

Salefu appreciates the CGC and his Management Team who have given the Command the needed motivation and impetus to go after smugglers and also performing their statutory responsibilities.