Navy hands over N500m worth of seized cannabis to NDLEA in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy in Lagos on Thursday handed over 463 large sacks of cannabis sativa worth over N500million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Addressing journalists during the handover of the substance to NDLEA, Commander Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Malami Haruna said the illicit drugs were intercepted from a boat on May 21, during the routine sea patrol conducted by the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) off Lagos Fairway buoy.

He said the suspects on sighting the naval patrol boats jumped into a speed boat and sped off.

He said, “At about 1:00am on Saturday 21 May, the Nigerian Navy intercepted a boat laden with contraband suspected to be cannabis sativa popularly known as Marijuana.

“The interception was done during the routine sea patrol conducted by the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) off Lagos Fairway buoy. Though the suspects are at large, efforts are being made to apprehend them.

“However, the boat laden with the contraband was towed to the Base for further investigation. Our preliminary investigations revealed that the boat was loaded with about 463 large sacks of compressed Marijuana worth more than N500million in the local market amongst other items.

“The hard drugs would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in line with extant regulations for the arrest and handover of suspects and evidence to appropriate agencies.”

Haruna said the prevention of such large quantities of hard drugs from entering the Nigerian society would serve to reduce drug intake that leads youths towards committing crimes in the society adding that it has also deprived the owners of the contraband the funds to sustain their operations.

While commending the patrol teams for their commitment to the responsibilities of the Western Naval Command, Haruna warned drug traffickers and other economic saboteurs that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral AZ Gambo AM maintains zero tolerance to criminalities and will not relent in its drive to rid the nation’s maritime space of all illegalities including drug trafficking and oil theft amongst others.

Marine Commander of the NDLEA, Isaac Uzah, who received the seizure on behalf of the NDLEA commended the navy for supporting the war against transnational crimes and assured that the agency would continue to strengthen existing collaboration between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Navy to achieve greater efficiency and curb illicit drug trafficking.

“Our gathering today is another milestone in our collaboration with the Nigerian Navy. The Navy is one of the agencies of government that are supporting the war against transnational crime, especially drug trafficking.

“The maritime domain is not only large but it is complex and challenging. Despite the challenges, the Nigerian Navy is living up to expectations. Specifically, with the NDLEA and upon my assumption of duty from January, the Navy has made massive arrests at sea.

“On the January 11 and 27 ,2022, they handed over 261 and 268 bags of cannabis respectively and today again, we can see the massive seizure which is over 463 bags. So, the seizure and arrest speak volume in our relationship with the Nigerian Navy.  From the second seizure, 20 Ghanaian suspects were apprehended and handed over and they are facing prosecution at the Federal High Court. So, we thanked the navy for complementing the efforts of the NDLEA,” he said.

Uzah said the two Epenal boats recently handed over to the NDLEA will boost the agency’s marine unit operational efficiency and capacity in its fight against drug trafficking.

Photo caption:

The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Malami Haruna (right) presenting the Handing Over note of bags of seized cannabis sativa to the Marine Commander, NDLEA, Isaac Uzah at the NNS BEECROFT Parade Ground Apapa, Lagos on Thursday.