The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, seized 1,958kg of cannabis sativa with a duty-paid value of N398m in Lagos.
The interception, the largest single seizure of cannabis under the current administration, occurred at Ilase Sea Beach at around 11 pm on Thursday, 20th February, approximately 200 nautical miles from the Lagos Anchorage.
According to a statement released on Friday, 21st February by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Lomba Benjamin, smugglers abandoned their boat and fled into the sea after being overpowered by Customs officers. The boat contained 3,793 loaves of cannabis sativa, divided into 53 sacks.
Customs Area Controller, Paul Bamisaiye, attributed the successful operation to intensified efforts by his officers. He noted that this seizure surpasses a previous one two months ago, where 15 sacks containing 1,021 loaves of cannabis sativa weighing 538kg and valued at N107m were recovered.
The seized drugs will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Bamisaiye reiterated the command’s commitment to border protection and collaboration with other agencies.
