The Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, made a significant breakthrough on Tuesday by confiscating a shipment of specially cultivated Cannabis Sativa imported from Canada.
An unspecified number of suspects linked to the illegal importation are currently under investigation.
During a press briefing in Lagos, Customs Area Comptroller Dera Nnadi revealed that actionable intelligence led to the interception of three containers suspected of carrying illicit drugs.
The containers, with the identification numbers MSMU518030/2, MSMU602957/0, and FSCU927461/3, were stopped alongside the suspected criminal importers behind the shipment.
Comptroller Nnadi disclosed that after conducting a joint 100% physical examination on August 2, 2024, 77 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 38.5 kilograms, were discovered in one of the containers.
“In the coming weeks, it is our hope and desire to hand over several other containers of similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters,” Nnadi stated. “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 we are showcasing today. The drugs extracted from the containers were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MOU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.”
Further inspection of the remaining containers on August 8, 2024, revealed even more alarming findings. In one container, 532 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 265.025 kilograms, were seized.
Additionally, another 75 packets of the same substance, weighing 37.5 kilograms, were discovered.
These discoveries were made in shipments that had not yet undergone declaration processes. Both shipments were associated with the Mediterranean Shipping Company.
Nnadi provided additional insights, “A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 Aug 2024, and the examination 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 Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC.”
Further reinforcing the scale of the operation, the Customs boss added, “A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.”
The investigation into this large-scale smuggling operation is ongoing, with the NDLEA and NCS working closely to track and prosecute those responsible. “Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you on the interdiction, arrest, and prosecution,” Nnadi concluded.
In total, the contents of the three containers comprised 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, collectively weighing 341.025 kilograms and valued at approximately N682 million.
As Nnadi pointed out, this operation highlights the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in tackling drug trafficking.
“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command handed over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682 million,” Nnadi confirmed.
