Customs makes largest single seizure of N1.2bn cannabis on Lagos waters

TAYO AFOLABI

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) made the largest single seizure of drugs suspected to be Cannabis Sativa valued at N1,002,050,000 during a seagoing patrol on Lagos waters.

The Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, whose operatives made the interception in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, described the seizure as the “largest single seizure” of such drugs on the waters in the history of the Nigeria Customs.

According to him, the suspected smugglers seen from afar with the drugs dived into the water to escape upon sighting customs officers approaching to make the seizure.

“The drugs were suspected to be coming from Ghana and had passed other countries by water before getting to Shashi area of Lagos where it was seized.

“Since no suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, it will be liable to destruction in collaboration with relevant government agencies like National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Police,” he said.

The command according to Peters had achieved 39 seizures within the first four months of the year, which is higher than 12 seizures made within the same period of 2019.

He said that the command made seizures with a total duty paid value of N1,063,427,800 which was higher than DPV of N36,420,481.46 achieved within the same period of last year.

Peter gave the breakdown of the 2020 seizures made so far as 1,816 bags of rice valued at N38,134,375; 733 cartons of poultry products worth N7,421,625; and 104 bales of second-hand clothing worth N4,393,400; 665 bales of textile materials worth N2,094,400 and 112 kegs of 25-litre petroleum products valued at N112,000.

Other are, 25 bales of second-hand shoes and belts worth N8,019,000; 25 cartons of chewing gum worth N1,203,000 and the unprecedented seizure of cannabis

The Comptroller attributed the seizure recorded to the renewed spirit of work amongst officers and men of the command to achieve the Comptroller General of Customs strategic plan of zero tolerance to smuggling.

He also attributed it to a high level of intelligence gathering and enhanced customs community relations.