Customs disrupts smuggling route with cannabis seizure worth N152m

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has disrupted a major smuggling route with the interception of 1,452 loaves of Cannabis Sativa valued at N152 million.

While officially handing over of the seized drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, said the operation was intelligence-led and executed in the early hours of Tuesday, 15 April.

According to Bamisaiye, operatives from the Command’s patrol team intercepted the smugglers off the Mopol Beach coastline around 2:30 a.m. as they attempted to transfer sacks of cannabis from a wooden boat fitted with a 40-horsepower Yamaha engine.

“On sighting our officers, the smugglers abandoned their boat and fled. Our operatives secured the items and transported them to the Command headquarters,” he said.

According to a statement published on the NCS’ social media account, the seized consignment, weighing approximately 730kg, highlights the Command’s renewed drive under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to clamp down on smuggling, particularly of illicit substances that endanger public health and national security.

Receiving the contraband, Acting Marine Commander of the NDLEA, Morrison Udo, commended the Customs Service for its continued vigilance and pledged enhanced collaboration in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking nationwide.