The effort of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command to battle smuggling has led to the seizure of 1,658 loaves of cannabis Sativa weighing 788 kilograms and 386 bottles of 300ml codeine syrup.
While briefing newsmen on the operation on Tuesday, 03 December 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller, Paul Bamisaiye revealed that the seizure which was made during three seperate operations, has significant implications for public health and safety.
His words, “The inordinate quest by citizens to get rich by any means fuels the menace of smuggling, citizens must understand that smuggling is injurious to our economy and smuggling of hard drugs has even more devastating effect on our health and the economy.
According to him, these operations took place at Ijegun Waterside, Bar Beach, and Ekare beach front in November, 2024, and the actions were in direct enforcement of section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The Area Controller who noted that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seized items is ₦182,196,000, also announced that three suspects were arrested in connection to the seizures.
The CAC warned that the Western Marine Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to undermine the government’s trade restrictions or fiscal policies.
“The Command under my watch is poised more than ever to rid our waterways of all acts of smuggling and economic saboteurs for the benefit of the growth of the economy of Nigeria”, Bamisaiye stated.
The seized cannabis 788kg and 386 bottles of 300ml codeine syrup, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively for further investigation and prosecution.
Shortly after receiving the items, the Marine Commander NDLEA, Morrison Udoh, who was also on a courtesy visit to the command, reaffirmed the commitment of the two agencies to continue to work together to rid the country of illicit drugs.
He commended the service for the fight against smuggling on Nigeria’s waterways and expressed optimism for improved synergy.
