The Acting Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi has disclosed a notable achievement by the Nigeria Customs Service. This achievement involves the successful confiscation of different quantities of cannabis sativa, valued at ₦651 million. The operations were carried out in two key regions: the Ajah sector of Lagos State and Ogun State.
Addressing reporters in Abeokuta, Adewale Adeniyi made this revelation during a press briefing on Tuesday, as conveyed in a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada.
According to Adeniyi, a total of three suspects have been apprehended in relation to certain illicit substances intercepted aboard a wooden boat.
The Chief Comptroller General (CGC) additionally mentioned that a subset of the apprehended individuals has been transferred for more in-depth investigations.
‘Officers of Federal Operations Unit Zone A seized 14,015 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 7,728 Kg with a duty-paid value of N618m discharged from a boat at the creeks around Ajah and Ijebu-Ode area. A total of three suspects and the items, were handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and are currently undergoing investigations.’
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‘Similarly, on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at about 0400hrs, a joint patrol team of officers intercepted a wooden boat with two Yamaha outboard engines 40 horsepower each carrying 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, weighting 3,811kg with a duty paid value of N32m was also intercepted.’
He detailed that some of the confiscated illegal substances were ingeniously concealed in pineapple.
‘On Monday, August 7, 2023, at about 0315hrs credible intelligence led to the seizure of 2,940 parcels of cannabis sativa around Sokoto/Ijoun Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.’
‘The Items were concealed in a heap of pineapple fruits loaded in an unregistered white Fiat bus with chassis number 2FA23000006141966. Two suspects, Mr. Akeem Olatunde a driver, and Mr. Abdul Nurudeen Adedeji a passenger have been arrested and taken into custody pending further investigation.’
Adeniyi, however, reassured the Nigerian populace of its resolute dedication to the service to upholding its prescribed duties and shielding the nation from the harmful impact of illegal drugs.
‘We assure the public that details of our investigations will be made available to ensure transparency and accountability,’ he concluded.