Western Marine Customs Command Intercepts 1,437kg Of Cannabis Sativa

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Based on credible and intelligent report, the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command has intercepted a wooden boat containing 32 sacks loaded with hemps.

The wooden boat was intercepted on the 30th of March, 2022 at Oko-Aja beach in Lagos with the 32 sack which was found to be hemp upon physical examination.

Addressing news men on Thursday at the command in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Abubakar Umar hinted that the hemps in the 32 sacks is a total of 2520 pieces sativa which weight one thousand, four hundred and thirty seven kilograms (1,437kg)

Comptroller Umar who said his mandate since assumption of office as the Area Controller in charge of the Command is to ensure that no stone is left unturned in nipping the activities of smugglers in the bud along the South Western waterways and creeks , gave the street value of the seized cannabis sativa to be one hundred and sixty eight million naira (N168,000,000.00).

He noted that it is a case of absolute prohibition which contravenes section 24(b) of CEMA Cap C45 LFB 2004 as amended.

Speaking further, the Command boss said “On Thursday 7 April 2022 at about 1930hrs; our operatives while on credible intelligence along Badagry waterways intercepted and seized One wooden boat laden with Foreign Parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled from the Benin Republic. The smuggled foreign rice and its means of conveyance were brought to the Command for examination. On physical examination, it was found to be 503 Bags of foreign parboiled rice.

“In a related development, On Wednesday 25 May 2022 at about 1900hrs, following credible intelligence, the operatives of the Command intercepted and arrested Two wooden boats laden with foreign parboiled rice at Oniru Beach. The boats and the smuggled foreign rice were counted and found to be 136 Bags of foreign parboiled rice”

He added that for the period under review, the operative of the Command under his watch have arrested and seized a total of 828 Bags of foreign rice suspected to be smuggled from the Benin Republic with Duty Paid Value of N29, 684,000.00) only.

He added that similarly, the Operatives of the Command have at different locations in Idiroko, Badagry, Bar-Beach and Seaside intercepted different smuggled items which contravene Section 46(c), 167 and 169 of CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.

Umar listed the seized items to include; Foreign Parboiled Rice concealed in 35 Jerry cans of Vegetable Oil; 30 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 8 Kegs of Vegetable Oil; 8 Packs of Spaghetti Noodles; 250 Sachets of Pepper Onion Tomato; 71 Pairs of Second-Hand Shoes; 10 Sacks of Second Hand Clothing; 4 Boats and 2 Engines as means of conveyance.

He hinted that the total Duty Paid Value of the seizures is N190, 145,500.00. While the Command with the approval from the headquarters auctioned the PMS and remitted amount generated as fee to the Federation account.

Speaking on arrest made, Comptroller Umar said “On arrests, unfortunately, no arrest was made in connection with these seizures as the smugglers dived into the waters while some took to their heels on sighting the patrol Officers/Men.

“With the approval of the CGC, the seized Cannabis Sativa will be handed over today to the Commander, Marine Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as part of the existing inter-agency collaboration between the NCS and the NDLEA.”

While appreciating the CGC Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) and his management team for their continuous support, he attributes the success of the seizures to the commitment of his officers and men, effective use of intelligent, information gathering , surveillance operations, Inter agency collaboration and intensive patrol of the creeks / waterways by the operatives of the command .


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