The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) on Wednesday handed over seized illicit drugs valued at N682 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seized drugs weighing 341.025kg, comprised 684 packets of Cannabis Indica imported from Canada.
Controller of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi while briefing journalists at the command disclosed that the drugs were loaded in three containers and shipped into the country on board vessels belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
He said, “The Command having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers which we are showcasing today.
“The drugs extracted from the containers are being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MoU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.
“In the coming weeks, it is our hope and desire to hand over several other containers of similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters.”
Giving details of each of the seized container, the Customs boss said the first container with number MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) was intercepted on August 2nd, 2024 during a joint 100% physical examination, which revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.
“As at the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on an SGD Number withheld on 30-07-2024, listing three (3) used vehicles, ” he said.
Giving further details, Nnadi said on August 8, 2024, a joint 100% physical examination was conducted on container number MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) and the examination revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg.
“At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.”
Om the third container with number FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT), Nnadi said a joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg.
“At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.
“Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution.
“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command is handing over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00,” he said.
Nnadi assured that the command and the Service will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at its disposal and in collaboration with other security and other regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances.
He commended the collaboration between the Customs and NDLEA , particularly the sharing of intelligence.
While receiving the illicit drugs, Deputy Commander, NDLEA Tin Can port command, Adanu Eno praised the collaboration between the two agencies saying, ” What you are seeing this afternoon is the determination and collective efforts of Customs and NDLEA in bringing this to pass.
“With this seizure and others in the past, Customs has proved to us that they are always at alert to thwart the effort of criminals who want to bring illicit drugs into the country. “
More to read
Tin Can Customs adopts trade enabler mantra, posts record N145. 9bn revenue in January
Relief for agents as Customs reverses N10m license fee hike following ANLCA intervention
NSW committee launches end user training, urges stakeholders to participate