Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a blow to drug cartels operating within the nation's coastal waters and land borders by handing over hard substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol, to the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

 

The handover ceremony took place at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

 

Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, disclosed that the illicit substances were seized in operations conducted by the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations. Notable contributors to this effort included the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’

 

The CGC stated that the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) solidified their commitment to combat drug trafficking by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 4 April 2023.

 

Adeniyi emphasized the significance of community support in the battle against drug trafficking, stating that this remains a battle for every citizen.

 

He disclosed  that the seized items, including 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, along with 935 sacks of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘C’.

 

The Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama, representing the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its pivotal role in cleansing the country of illicit drugs.

 

He stressed the severe societal threat posed by Cannabis Sativa and affirmed the NDLEA's unwavering commitment to collaboration with the NCS in the relentless fight against drug Trafficking.

 

 

The Comptroller General of Customs and the National Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, called for more synergy among relevant stakeholders towards curtailing drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

 

 

Five suspects, according to the Comptroller General of Customs, were arrested in connection with the seized items.

 

Highpoint of the ceremony was the handing of the drug seizures to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.