Customs impounds 3,851kg cannabis, applauds synergy with NDLEA
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Parcels of Indian hemp, also known as cannabis sativa, weighing a total 3,851 kilograms and worth N308 million have been seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A.
Acting FOU Zone A Controller Hussein Ejibunu disclosed two suspects, Ebuka Mbamalu and Iruka Chita, were arrested over the illegal drugs on the Ogere-Ilaro Expressway in Ogun.
He said the suspects have been handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution – Mbamalu for possessing 627kg of cannabis and Chita for possessing 80 parcels.
Ejibunu cited the importance of agency synergy like the one between the Customs and the NDLEA which facilitated the operation.
“As a nation,” he stressed, “it is our responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property and to ensure that illicit items do not find their way into the country.
“Cannabis sativa is a substance that is widely used by criminals, kidnappers, bandits and even Boko Haram. They use this substance to charge up in a way to allow them to carry out dastard acts.
“We are completely resolute to ensure continuous synergy, I am putting it across to you today that the synergy will be completely resounded.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Customs seizes N16b Tramadol in 5 weeks
NDLEA seizes 4,349 kilogramme of drugs on Lagos inland waterways in six months
NDLEA intercepts US, Dubai-bound drugs in Lagos, arrests 39 in Abuja
__________________________________________________________________
Stopping cross border criminality
NDLEA Commander Callys Alumona expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the NCS and the NDLEA, per Vanguard reporting.
Alumina, represented by NDLEA Lagos Operations and Intelligence Deputy Commander Augustine Yusuf, enthused the synergy between the two agencies will stop cross border illegal trade and importation of illicit drugs.
“Our motive and action have been so clear and it is to let everyone say no to drugs, and we have been doing our best by enlightening the public, which is evident under the leadership of the current Chairman of NDLEA, to intensify drug abuse control.
“We have put in place a grand strategy which is called War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, and we are taking it to the grassroots so that more people will be enlightened, for them to make the right choices in their lives,” he said.
“The Nigerian Customs Service has been wonderful. They have been part of us since creation and they have been there as a big brother figure to us all the way.
“For the suspects, we will conduct investigation and those who made the arrest will avail us with useful information for possible prosecution.”
