The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Owerri has intercepted cannabis about 400 kilograms concealed in a luxury bus carrying passengers and luggage.
The cannabis popularly called Indian hemp is said to worth about N9 Million street value says the report sent to MMS plus Weekly by the command.
According to the Customs Area Controller of the FOU Zone ‘C’, the prohibited items were properly concealed in a luxury bus alongside other contraband goods to beat off the officers and men of the service on duty. He said, “However, acting on information made available to us, our men took strategic positions, intercepted the bus and eventually recovered the cannabis sativa alongside other contraband goods such as foreign rubber slippers, used motorcycle and used computers.”
Showcasing the neatly packaged drugs which were intercepted at the 9th Mile axis of Enugu State, Comptroller, Dimka Victor warned traders of illicit goods to stay out the Zone, stressing that the “tea party” was over.
“Despite efforts to reduce smuggling, smugglers have refused to listen to the voice of reason and it is quite unfortunate and disheartening that the deviants have continued in their nefarious trade”, he observed, advising that the entire Zone “C” area of the Nigeria Customs Service should now be considered a “no go area” for smugglers, their agents and collaborators, in the meantime.
He emphasized that his officers and men were so adequately trained, motivated and equipped with the state of the art gadgets to deal decisively, with die hard smugglers however clever they may be.
Dimka highlighted that the driver of the luxury bus would for now, be perceived as the prime suspect while investigation continues; and if found guilty by the law court, would be committed to prison, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He assured the law abiding business community that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to strengthen her existing synergy with other sister agencies to protect their interest, even as the war against smuggling continues.
He thereafter handed over the parcels of drugs to the Commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Enugu State Command- Barr. Anthony Nkem Ohanyere for further investigation.
Receiving the seizures on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, the NDLEA Enugu State Commander, Ohanyere reiterated the determination of the agency to win the war against illicit trade, thanking the Service for recognising that the drug war is not the exclusive responsibility of the NDLEA alone, but that of all levels of government and well meaning Nigerians.
He regretted that the continued consumption of hard drugs by some disgruntled individuals has led to the upsurge of all manner of criminality in the society with many youths ruined in the pursuit of their lofty careers.
Ohanyere expressed delight at the inter agency relationship between the NCS and the NDLEA and gave an assurance that his agency would further carry out a detailed investigation on the items seized to serve as a deterrent to others still trapped in drug trafficking.
He also expressed his joy that the NCS, has been modernized to stand shoulder high anywhere across the globe, hence its increasing relevance in the on-going war, against smuggling.
Thorough, fearless and daring, Victor Dimka, the present FOU Zone C Boss, it would be recalled, was once the head of the FOU Zone “A” Lagos, where he terrorised smugglers so much, making so much seizures, that the smugglers bandied together, to fight him back, in return.
