The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Port Command, has intercepted illicit drugs valued at N682 million.
The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the port, on Wednesday, when he told newsmen that three containers carrying cannabis were uncovered by the Command operatives in recent weeks.
“This occasion offers us the opportunity to unveil three (3) seizures in Tin Can Island Area Command. 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 are being 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,” Nnadi said.
Giving a breakdown, he said the first container MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) was intercepted on August 2nd, 2024 during joint 100% examination which revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.
On August 8th 2024, during joint examination, another container MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) was uncovered to find 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg. Although at the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.
The third container FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT) was also examined on August 8th to find 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.
“Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you 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, 050,000.00,” Nnadi said.
He also gave assurances that the Command would deploy all necessary resources and strategies at its disposal and in collaboration with other security and other regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances.
