The Tin Can Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service handed over a total of 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday at Tin Can Island Port.
Addressing the press during the hand over ceremony, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera N. Nnadi mni,
said the occasion offered the opportunity to unveil three seizures in Tin Can Island.
The controller explained that the Command, having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers being showcased.
Nnadi stated that drugs extracted from the containers would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MoU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.
He gave the details of each subject container as follows: Container Number MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) which joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 2 August, 2024 which revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.
According to the controller, at the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on an SGD Number withheld on 30-07-2024, listing three used vehicles.
For Container Number MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) a joint 100% physical examination conducted on 8 August, 2024 revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg.
Also at the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.
For Container Number FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT) a joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 August, 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered.
The controller gave the shipping company with respect to the consignment as also being MSC.
He revealed that investigation by the Command and partner agency, the NDLEA, is ongoing, adding that the drugs enforcement agency would give update on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution.
“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command is handing over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00,” Nnadi stressed.
He declared that the Command and indeed the Service will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at their disposal and in collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances. “We are more than committed to deliver on this mandate. I wish to thank you for partnering with the NCS to ensure and sustain the protection of the Nigerian society,” Nnadi stated.
The Deputy Commander, Narcotics, NDLEA, Tin Can Island Port, Adani Edor asserted that what was being witnessed was the result of determination and synergy between the two sister agencies.
He commended Customs for being on the alert to stop elements that like to import illicit drugs into the country.
Edor maintained that the collaboration is paying off as Customs calls the NDLEA when they first get the information while they, NDLEA, inform Customs if the information gets to them first, all in a bid to win the war against illicit drugs.