The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft on Tuesday said it arrested a large wooden boat that was laden with 193 bags of cannabis sativa weighing about 7,443kg.
Also arrested in connection with the bags of cannabis is a suspect identified as Mr. Asamani Emmanuel.
Briefing newsmen on the development, the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, said that his patrol team intercepted the contraband on Saturday, 16 March 2024 through effective utilization of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, Falcon Eye Alignment and Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre as well as human intelligence.
Oladejo added that the effort was due to the “strategic directive of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla” to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crime and criminality.
He further warned perpetrators of illicit drugs to desist from such acts as the NNS BEECROFT would not rest on its oars to pursuing all criminal elements operating within its area of operation.
“This successful arrest of large quantity of narcotics underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to curtailing spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youth which negatively affect their health and threaten national security,” he said.
The navy has handed over the arrested narcotics and the suspect to officials of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command for further investigation and prosecution.
