Dec. 3, 2024

The Western Marine Command in Lagos, on Tuesday, handed over three suspects and 1,658 loaves of canabis sativa, weighing 788kg, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, who briefed newsmen on the command’s activities, handed the narcotics and suspects over to the the new NDLEA Commander, Western Marine Command, Mr Udoh Morrison.

Bamisaiye said that he was extremely pleased to handover the arrested suspects and a total of 1,658 loaves of Cannabis Sativa intercepted during three separate operations.

He said that the operations, conducted in the month of November, were at Ijegun Waterside, Bar Beach, and Ekare Beach Front.

The comptroller said that the operations were in direct enforcement of provisions of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“The seized cannabis sativa and arrested suspects will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Bamisaiye also said that the command seized 295 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and seven bags of 50kg refined granulated foreign sugar during the period.

“This was during separate anti-smuggling operations at “Point of No Return in Badagry and Panko Ere waterfronts on Nov. 21.

“The command will be handing over 386 bottles of 300ml codeine syrup, confiscated along the Yekeme-Joforo waterways to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“This is in line with the recent understanding reached at the last CGC Conference in Abuja,” he said.

The comptroller further said that the command intercepted 900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which according to him had been disposed off in line with extant laws.

He said the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seized items was N182.1milion.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the Western Marine Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to undermine the government’s trade restrictions or fiscal policies.

“The inordinate quest by citizens to get rich by any means necessary fuels the menace of smuggling.

“Citizens must understand that smuggling is injurious to our economy and smuggling of hard drugs has even more devastating effect on our health and the economy,” Bamisaiye said.

He said that the command under his watch was poised more than ever to rid the waterways of smuggling and economic saboteurs for the benefit and growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Responding, Morrisson said that the purpose of his visit to the Customs Area Command was to seek partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service for the mutual benefit of the two sister service.

He also pleaded for a space in the Western Marine command to enable his officers perform their duties without stress.

Morrison said that agency also had good relationship with the Nigerian Navy, adding that since he assumed office at the Western Marine Command, he had received a total of 2.9. tonnes of seized cannabis sativa from the navy.

Meanwhile, the NCS, Western Marine Command, has handed over the intercepted codeine cough syrup to the the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The Director, Investigation and Enforcement of NAFDAC, Mr Shaba Muhammed, who was represented by Principal Regulatory Officer Mr Isha Salihu, while receiving the intercepted codeine syrup, commended the NCS.

He said that his agency was looking forward to more collaboration with the NCS in the area of interception and seizures of imported unwholesome food items as well as adulterated and counterfeit drugs. (NAN)