CUSTOMS: WESTERN MARINE COMMAND INTERCEPTS OVER 4,000 PARCELS OF CANNABIS SATIVA

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In its continued efforts to purge the Western Waterways of the criminal activities of smuggling, The Western Marines Command of Nigeria Customs Service has, intercepted and seized 51 Sacks containing 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa in the beginning of the year, January 2024.

A press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, SC Magaji Mailafiya, stated that on Friday, 19th January 2024, at exactly 1206hrs, a Joint Patrol Team of the Command received credible Intelligence of the movement of a wooden Boat around the Moba Seashore axis of the Command suspected of transporting offending goods. After a hot pursuit of the identified Boat by our officers, the smugglers dived into the Creek, abandoning the Boat fully loaded with the goods.

The statement added that, the wooden Boat powered by Two (2) 40 horsepower (HP) engines was towed back to the Command HQ at Ibaon Apapa, and after careful examination, it was found to contain a total of 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1785kg.

The Customs Area Controller, Odaudu Salefu, has promised to give officers of the Command the needed impetus and motivation to perform their anti-smuggling responsibilities in 2024.

Recall that in 2023, Western Marine Command made Five significant seizures of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 14,920 parcels of the dangerous drugs; the 5 seizures were part of the 48 incidents of seizures recorded by the Command in 2023 resulting in a total Duty Paid Value of N1, 470,397,255.00 for the year ended.

Western Marine Command is poised more than ever to improve this performance in 2024 for a better and prosperous year.