The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday handed over three catches of Cannabis Indica (Indian Hemp) to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at its office in Apapa, Lagos.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Dera A. Nnadi, who spoke with journalists during the handover ceremony in his address titled: Importation of Illicit Dangerous Drugs at the Tin Can Island Port Area Command, said the Command decided to hand over several other containers of similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters.
He explained that in the interim, the Command, having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers which it showcased and handed over to the NDLEA.
“The drugs extracted from the containers are handed over to the NDLEA at TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the NDLEA and NCS,” he said.
Details of each subject container indicated that the illicit drugs were imported through one 40 foot Container marked: MSMU 518030/2 in a joint 100 percent physical examination conducted on August 2, 2024 and revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.
“At the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on one 40ft container marked: MSMU 602957/0 on an SGD Number withheld on July 30, 2024, listing three used vehicles.
“A joint 100 percent physical examination was conducted on August 8, 2024 and it revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC,” he stated.
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Comptroller Nnadi also explained that a joint 100 percent physical examination was conducted on a third 40ft Container with number FSCU 927461/3 on August 8, 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg, adding: “At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. MSC is the shipping company with respect to the consignment.”
Speaking further, he said: “Investigation by the Command and the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will provide an update on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution. In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command is handing over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682 million.
“The Command and the service will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with other security and other regulatory agencies check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances. We are committed to delivering on our mandate.”
