In a significant blow to drug cartels operating in Nigeria’s coastal waters and land borders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over a substantial quantity of hard substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The formal handover ceremony took place on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.
During a joint press briefing, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, revealed that the illicit substances were seized in operations conducted by various units, including the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations. Key contributors to this successful endeavor included the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’
Highlighting the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking, CGC Adeniyi disclosed that both agencies solidified their resolve by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 4 April 2023.
Emphasizing the importance of community support in the fight against drug trafficking, CGC Adeniyi stated, “This is a battle for every citizen.” He provided detailed information on the seized items, which included 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, along with 935 sacks of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘C.’
From the Ogun 1 Command, a significant haul of 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 3,312.7kg, were seized. Additionally, the Western Marine Command contributed to the effort with 2,205 parcels, weighing 624kg.
The Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama, representing the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its pivotal role in eradicating illicit drugs from the country. Gazama underscored the severe societal threat posed by Cannabis Sativa and affirmed the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with the NCS in the relentless fight against drug trafficking. He concluded, “We will not relent until our battles on drug trafficking are achieved.”
