By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS TinCan Island Port Command, has intercepted a 40 foot container laden with illicit drugs, Cannabis Indica.

Also, the command has handed over the seizure to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The container which originated from Canada was found to contain 8,347 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing a total of 4,173.5 kilograms with an estimated street value of N16,69

Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Command, Area Comptroller Frank Onyeka, said that criminal networks are still desperate to use the nations ports to push dangerous substances into the country.
He recalled that two weeks ago, a major and similar interception was made through intelligence and collaboration between the NCS and the NDLEA

Onyeka said: “We are watching, we are working, and we will continue to frustrate every attempt to use our ports for illegal importation.

“This is not just another seizure. This represents a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to jeopardize National Security, endanger lives and profit from the destruction of our hardworking young men and women of our country.

“Thankfully, due to the vigilance and professionalism of our officers and partner agencies, that consignment will not get to the streets.

“Let me assure Nigerians that this Command is not relenting. If anything, recent events have strengthened our resolve. We will continue to intensify surveillance, deepen intelligence gathering, and sustain our collaboration with the NDLEA and other security agencies to ensure more interceptions are made.

“We are also determined to go beyond seizures. Those behind these shipments will be identified, traced, arrested, and prosecuted. Let me also clearly warn any insider collaborators aiding these criminal activities: the Command will not spare anyone found compromising national security for personal gain.

“No matter how long it takes, such individuals will be tracked down and dealt with according to the law,” he said.

On her part, Director Seaport Operations, NDLEA, ACG Ibinabo Abia, explained that the exhibits would proceed through the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law.

Abia commended the interception of such a large cache of illicit substances by the Nigerian security architecture at the seaports.
She said: “These gallant officers have served as effective and patriotic gatekeepers in ensuring the safety and security of our maritime corridors.

“This seizure is not merely about yesterday’s examination and discovery rather, it is the positive outcome of painstaking intelligence and gathering, sustained surveillance, strategic trailing of the container from march up until yesterday.”