The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT has handed over 187 bags of cannabis sativa with an estimated market value of N200million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT and Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, while addressing journalist at the Base on Wednesday said the substances were seized in the early hours of Tuesday, 28 November at Apakin Village in Ibeju Lekki, Eleko Beach and Badagry creek respectively.
“Based on credible intelligence on suspicious activities in an uncompleted building at Apakin Village in Ibeju Lekki, Quick Response Team of ongoing Operation WATER GUARD was deployed, and on arrival at the uncompleted building, bags suspected to be cannabis sativa were found stored in a concealed room.
“Accordingly, 58 bags of Cannabis Sativa were found in the uncompleted building and another 129 bags were earlier intercepted at Eleko Beach and Badagry creek making a total of about 187 bags of Cannabis Sativa, weighing about 8,000 kilograms. The criminals, upon sighting the teams, abandoned the narcotics and fled, however, all the bags were evacuated to the Base and handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for necessary action, ” he said.
He noted that the successful confiscation and handover of the substance further underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to reducing effects of drugs, which is believed to be a catalyst for crimes, violence and other vices threatening national security.
” The remarkable efforts of the teams are in fulfillment of key priorities of Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, towards leveraging partnerships with relevant stakeholders, institutions and government agencies under the principle of burden sharing to curb crime and criminality within the maritime environment, ” he concluded.
