The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Tuesday handed over 193 bags of seized cannabis sativa and a suspect apprehended, Mr. Asamani Emmanuel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The contraband loaded in a large wooden boat and weighing 7,443 kilograms, the navy said was intercepted along the Badagry waterways.
Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing journalists in Lagos said the contrabands were intercepted by NNS BEECROFT patrol team on Saturday, 16th March.
He attributed the seizure to the effective utilization of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, including Falcon Eye Alignment and the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre, as well as human intelligence.
Commodore Oladejo explained that the effort was sequel to the Strategic Directive of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain a credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to combat maritime crime.
He warned those involved in illicit drug activities to resist from such act as NNS BEECROFT will not rest on its oars in pursuing criminal elements within its operational area.
“This successful arrest of large quantity of narcotics underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to curtailing spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youth which negatively affect their health and threaten national security, ” he said.
Oladejo said the NDLEA will commence further investigation into the seized narcotics and possible prosecution of the suspect.
