By Fortune Ulu
The Tin Can Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has made three seizures of various illicit drugs imported into the country through the port.
The impounded items have consequently been handed over to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for processing.
This was announced by the Customs Area Commander D. A. Nnadi at a media briefing at the port complex on Wednesday.
“In the coming weeks, it is our hope and desire to hand over several other containers of similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters,” the Customs Area Commander said.
He said the three impounded containers were intercepted following the receipt of actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries.
“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,” he added.
Providing details of the seizures, Nnadi said for Container MSMU 518030/2, a joint 100% physical examination was conducted on August 2, 2024 and the examination revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.
The declaration made in respect of the container listed three used vehicles
For Container MSMU 602957/0, a joint 100% physical examination was conducted on Auggust 8, 2024 and the examination revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg. At the time of processing the intelligence on it, no declaration had been entered.
Concerning Container FSCU 927461/3, a joint 100% physical examination conducted on August 8, 2024 revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. Prior to this, no declaration had been entered in respect of the container.
Nnadi said investigation by the Customs Command and the NDLEA was ongoing, adding that the NDLEA would provide update on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution.
He announced that the Command was 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 to the NDLEA.
Nnadi said the Command would deploy all necessary resources and strategies in collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances.
