Comptroller Salefu Odaudu subdues marine smugglers as his Western Marine Customs Command pursues and confiscates large quantities of cannabis sativa from smugglers
The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a total of 120 sacks of Cannabis Sativa also known as marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The handover ceremony took place at the command headquarters, Ibafo, Lagos on Monday, March 4, 2024. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Salefu Odaudu, revealed that the 120 sacks contained 10,551 loaves of cannabis sativa with a total value of N704,518,000.
Comptroller Salefu explained that the seizures were made in three different operations at Jegemo Island opposite Iworo Ajido Waterfront and Asipa Beach along Seme borders on the 29th of November, 2023, 2nd of December, 2023 and 19th of January, 2024.
Speaking during the handover, Comptroller Salefu said, “In upholding the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Customs and NDLEA signed on the 4th of April 2023 to ensure synergy and collaboration in tackling illicit traffic in hard drugs along Nigeria’s entry and exit points, the Service under the leadership of the CGC, BA Adeniyi MFR has directed the Western Marine Command to handover 120 sacks containing 10,551 loaves of cannabis sativa with a total value of N704,518,000.00 to NDLEA for further agency action.”
“Today’s event is a product of the hard work, dedication and bravery of my officers who have worked with diligence and integrity to puncture the reign of smugglers of these hard drugs.
This seizure is also a product of our command’s wide network of intelligence with suspects of these trade still at large but the command will now work with NDLEA to effect the arrest of these wicked traders,” the Area Controller said.
Salefu admonished Nigerians to desist from illicit and illegal cross border trade practices, stressing that it has huge consequences for the general economic and health welfare of the citizens.
WMC Hands Over 120 SACKS OF CANNABIS SATIVA (MARIJUANA) TO NDLEA
While receiving the seizures, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Paul Ahon, commended the Western Marine Customs for their synergy with the drug enforcement agency.
Ahon also assured that the NDLEA will continue to build on its partnership with Customs in a bid to curb the smuggling of drugs into the country.
Meanwhile, the Western Marine Command also handed over a total of 36 live African Grey Parrots to officials of the Nigerian Parks Service.
At the event which was held at the command’s headquarters in Ibafon, Apapa Lagos, on Friday, March 8, 2024, the Area Controller Salefu said officers of the command intercepted the endangered species being smuggled through the Badagry Creeks overseas, en route to Ghana.
Compt. Salefu attributed the seizure to his officers’ dedication to duty, explaining that his officers intercepted the boat while on patrol at midnight on the waterway between Abongo and T-junction, a notorious stretch of the breakwaters adjoining the international waters.
He said upon discovering the endangered species, he directed that they should be brought to the office, after which he contacted the NCS Headquarters in Abuja and was granted approval for the handing over to the Nigerian Parks Service.
“My officers on patrol stopped a boat at about twelve minutes to one am on Tuesday. On moving closer they heard the sound of birds. A mini search was conducted on the boat, and they discovered it was carrying live African Grey Parrots. You are aware that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), we cannot watch some unscrupulous traders send our animals into extinction”. Salefu said.
