The western Marine Command of the Customs said it has arrested a wooden boat with yamaha on board engines loaded with 103 sacks of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa worth cumulatively to the tune of N700 million.
The total weight of the substance is 3,811 kilograms while the means of conveyance and the two yamaha outboard engines of 40 Horse power each stands at N7, 350,00.
Compt Salefu said in a statement on Thursday 3rd August 2023, at about 0400hrs the Command upon a follow-up on one of its numerous lead, received credible intelligence, that a crime was about to be committed, information reached the Command that an attempt will be made to smuggle a large shipment of Cannabis Sativa into the Country through our western waterways from a neighboring Country.
The Command immediately assembled a joint patrol Team of Marine patrol Officers and set out towards the Ibeju Lekki Deep Sea costal water where they intercepted and arrested one wooden Boat with Two (2) Yamaha outboard Engines (40hp each) loaded with 103 Sacks of substances immediately suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)
The smugglers upon sighting our patrol Team dived into the water and abandoned their Boat with all the items in it which was immediately brought to Western Marine Command Headquarters Ibafon APAPA and found to contain 8,240 parcels (loaves) of Cannabis Sativa having a total weight of 3,811 kg.
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.
Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service while facilitating Trade continue to stand as the frontier along our waterways to guard the Nation under very strenuous and challenging circumstances against illicit and illegal trade that brings injuries to our economy and health.
While appreciating the media and the general public for their patriotic and nationalistic reportage, I wish to remind you that we must partner together to rid our Nation of unhealthy and dangerous trade practices that have the potential to bring us down as people.
Profound appreciation goes to the CGC and his Management Team who have given the Command the needed motivation and impetus to go after smugglers, performing our statutory responsibilities and we pledge our loyalty to the NCS Management and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
