As the Yuletide season begins, the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has tightened its noose against smugglers intercepting 15 sacks of cannabis sativa worth N107.2 million, in Lagos
A press statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Magaji Mailafiya, said the 15 sacks of cannabis comprising 1,021 loaves weighed 538kg.
According to him, the consignment was intercepted at the waterfront while the suspected smugglers had grounded their boat in an attempt to offload the illicit items onto land.
“In furtherance of its anti-smuggling mandate, the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on December 16, 2024, effected another seizure of 15 sacks of Cannabis Sativa containing 1,021loaves of the illicit substances.
“The consignment, which was intercepted by our officers along the Ajido waterways in the Yekeme axis of the command, was examined at the command headquarters and found to have a total weight of 538kg with a duty paid value (DPV) of N107,205,000.
“The consignment was intercepted at the waterfront while the suspected smugglers had grounded their boat in an attempt to offload the illicit items onto land.
“Upon sighting our vigilant Marine officers, the suspects abandoned the items and fled the scene.
Despite the hostile environment, the patrol team successfully secured the sacks, transferred them into our official patrol boats, and transported the contraband to the Western Marine Command headquarters for further investigation.”
Mailafiya who applauded the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing logistics for the command, stated that the command would ensure that the waterways remain effectively secured from smuggling activities during the festive period.
“The CGC and his management team has been instrumental in supporting this fight against smuggling operations by providing critical resources and equipment to the Western Marine Command.
“This support has empowered the Command to achieve remarkable successes in ensuring that smugglers have no safe haven on our waterways, thereby creating a secure and thriving environment for legitimate trade. The Western Marine Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, expresses its readiness to ensure that the waterways remain effectively secured from smuggling activities during this critical festive period.
“The Command is not unaware that some unpatriotic members of the public usually attempt to take advantage of the Yuletide season to execute their nefarious acts of smuggling. It hereby warns that strategies have been perfected for the coming holiday season to checkmate all such criminal acts.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to protecting the nation’s waterways and ensuring a safe environment for lawful trade and activities.”