By Asuquo Nuwak
— Hands over 8,240 parcels of cannabis sativa, 23,000mg of Tramadol to NDLEA
— Seizes items worth N699, 510. 000
The Western Marine Customs Command, the foremost Marine formation of Nigeria Customs Service, has seized 103 sacks containing 8, 240 loaves of cannabis sativa (marijuana) and 23,000 capsules of 100mg of tramadol, along coastal waters.
The Customs Area Controller, who presented the seized items during media briefing at Western Marine Customs Command Headquarters, Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos, also said the major reason for the briefing was to keep the media and the general public abreast with the latest effort of the command to puncture the evil ranks of smuggling and illicit trade of cannabis sativa (marijuana) and also to hand over 103 sacks containing 8, 240 loaves of cannabis sativa (marijuana) and 23,000 capsules of 100mg of tramadol to NDLEA for further action.
Comptroller Salefu, recalled that on Thursday 3rd August 2023, upon a follow up on one of its numerous patrol , the command received credible intelligence report and information that a crime was about to be committed, which will lead to smuggling a large shipment of cannabis sativa (marijuana) from a neighbouring country into Nigeria through western waterways.
The Customs Area Controller, said upon receiving the intelligence report and information about the crime activities, 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 (2) Yamaha outboard engines (40hp each) loaded with 103 Sacks of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana).
A report stated that when the smugglers sighted the command’s patrol team, they 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.
A report also revealed that, upon physical examination of the items it was found to contain 8,240 parcels (loaves) of Cannabis Sativa, having a total weight of 3,811 kilograms, with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N692,160,000 (Six Hundred and Ninety Two Million, One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only),
While the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the means of conveyance and two Yamaha outboard engines of 40 horse power each is N7,350,000 (Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).
In addition to this, a combined Duty Paid Value of the entire seizures made available is N699,510,000 (Six Hundred And Ninety Nine Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira Only)
In his words: “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 more devastating effect on our health and the economy”.
Comptroller Salefu, who said, “Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service will continue to promote trade facilitation, also promised to stand as the frontier along the nation’s waterways to guard the country under strenuous and challenging circumstances, against illicit and illegal trade which brings injuries to Nigerian economy and health of our people”.
The Western Marine Customs Boss, who appreciated the efforts of the media and the general public for their patriotic and nationalistic reportage, also reminded them that we must partner together to rid the nation of unhealthy and dangerous trade practices that have the potential to bring us down as people.
In conclusion, Comptroller Salefu also appreciated and commended the efforts of the CGC and his management team for giving the Command the needed motivation and impetus to go after smugglers, performing the command’s statutory responsibilities, while equally pledged the command’s loyalty to the NCS management and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.