Western Marine Customs Intercepts N2billion Worth of Cannabis from Ghana, Gunpowder Others On Waterways
Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Compt Abubakar Alhaji Umar displaying some of the seizures at his command on Thursday
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said its men intercepted 29,660 parcels of Cannabis Sativa imported from Ghana along the Lagos Waterways.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command of Customs, Abubakar Alhaji Umar explained that the Cannabis Sativas’ total weight is 16,663 Kg and is worth N2,061,000,000.00.
According to the Customs Area Controller, “The Cannabis Sativa was intercepted while on their way into the country from Ghana along our waterways.
“Importation like this won’t help our country’s development. We all know the harms that Cannabis Sativa pose to our youths. It is illegal to ship such contraband into Nigeria and we will continue to thwart the efforts of unscrupulous importers who derive joy in bringing in such substance into the country.
“Aside from the Cannabis Sativa, my men also impounded between June till October 1,575 bags of foreign parboiled rice equivalent to more than 2 trailer loads of rice worth N39,375,000.00;
“28,735 litres of PMS contained in 1,077 kegs of 25liter size equivalent to about one load of PMS worth N4,921,700.00;
“Seven wooden boats with 4 Engines as means of Conveyance worth Nl3,750,000.00;
“Two sacks of suspected gunpowder.
“A total number of seizures is 16 with a Duty Paid Value of N2,233,808,950.00
The Area Controller, appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and his management team for supporting the Command with the necessary facilities; highlighting the Command’s new conference room and the anticipated seven newly constructed patrol boats as worthwhile additions.
In his words: “We are expecting 7 newly constructed boats. Right now we have nine boats and over 250 trained officers and we expect 50 more officers to join us from the training school later this year. These are obvious provisions that would enable the Command to be more resolute in its activities,” he added.
