- The suspects abandoned their boat and fled into the sea when confronted by authorities
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command has intercepted 53 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 1,958kg, with an estimated duty-paid value of N398 million, during an operation at Ilase Sea Beach, Lagos.
The seizure, announced by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Lomba Benjamin, on Friday, marks the largest single haul of cannabis under the administration of Customs Area Controller Paul Bamisaiye.
According to Bamisaiye, officers encountered smugglers at approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, about 200 nautical miles from the Lagos Anchorage. The suspects abandoned their boat and fled into the sea when confronted by authorities.
“The boat was quickly secured and brought to the office where it was found to contain 3,793 loaves of cannabis sativa packed into 53 sacks,” Bamisaiye said.
He credited the successful operation to the vigilance and dedication of his officers, noting that just two months earlier, the command had seized 15 sacks of cannabis weighing 538kg and valued at N107 million.
Bamisaiye expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the resources and equipment needed to combat smuggling.
The intercepted cannabis will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in line with standard procedures. Bamisaiye reaffirmed the command’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s borders.
The seizure is seen as part of a broader effort by Nigerian authorities to curb the trafficking of illegal drugs and enhance border security.
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