Western Marine Customs Hands over 822 loaves of Cannabis, Codeine to NDLEA, NAFDAC
Western Marine Customs Hands Over 822 Loaves of Cannabis, Codeine to NDLEA, NAFDAC
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has handed over 822 loaves of cannabis and 532 bottles of controlled pharmaceutical products concealed in used clothing to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The handover followed intelligence-led operations along Nigeria’s creeks and maritime routes, Customs Area Controller Comptroller Patrick Ntadi said during a briefing at the command headquarters on Wednesday.
Ntadi said operatives intercepted the narcotics after acting on credible intelligence. The seized items included cannabis sativa and cannabis indica hidden inside sacks of second-hand clothing.
“About 320 loaves of cannabis sativa were discovered inside 10 sacks of second-hand clothing,” he said, describing the interception as a major success in the command’s anti-smuggling campaign.
The cannabis was handed to the NDLEA for further investigation and destruction. The 532 bottles of pharmaceutical products, including codeine and other controlled substances, were transferred to NAFDAC.
The operation also yielded 10 bales of used clothing, 569 pairs of adult shoes, and 517 pairs of children’s shoes. Ntadi said several suspects escaped by jumping into the waterways, a tactic often used by smugglers in coastal and creek areas.
He commended officers of the Western Marine Command for their dedication despite the challenges of marine patrols, and stressed that inter-agency cooperation remains key to combating drug trafficking and trans-border crime.
Deputy Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, Olufemi, received the seized drugs on behalf of the agency. He praised Customs for its consistency in tackling illegal drug trafficking and warned that offenders would be prosecuted.
The event also featured a recognition for Ntadi by the African International Wrestling Federation for his support of anti-smuggling advocacy and youth development. The group unveiled a “Pro-Wrestling Against Border Smuggling” campaign to use sports and entertainment to raise awareness.
