The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos, on Tuesday, handed over three suspects and 1,658 loaves of cannabis sativa weighing 788kg to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The customs area controller of the command, Paul Bamisaiye, briefed journalists on the command’s activities and handed the narcotics and suspects over to the new NDLEA commander, Western Marine Command, Udoh Morrison.

Mr Bamisaiye said he was pleased to hand over the suspects and 1,658 loaves of cannabis sativa intercepted during three separate operations.

He said the operations, conducted in November, were at Ijegun Waterside, Bar Beach, and Ekare Beach Front.

The comptroller said the operations were in direct enforcement of provisions of section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Mr Bamisaiye also said the command seized 295 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and seven bags of 50kg refined granulated foreign sugar during the period.

“This was during separate anti-smuggling operations at ‘Point of No Return’ in Badagry and Panko Ere waterfronts on November 21.

“The command will be handing over 386 bottles of 300ml codeine syrup, confiscated along the Yekeme-Joforo waterways to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“This is in line with the recent understanding reached at the last CGC Conference in Abuja,” he said.

The comptroller further said the command intercepted 900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which, according to him, had been disposed of in line with extant laws.

He said the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seized items was N182.1 million.

“Citizens must understand that smuggling is injurious to our economy and smuggling of hard drugs has even more devastating effect on our health and the economy,” Mr Bamisaiye said.

He said the command under his watch was poised more than ever to rid the waterways of smuggling and economic saboteurs for the benefit and growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Responding, Mr Morrisson said his visit to the customs area command was to seek a partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service for the mutual benefit of the two sister services.

He also pleaded for a space in the Western Marine Command to enable his officers to perform their duties without stress.

Mr Morrison said the agency also had a good relationship with the Nigerian Navy, adding that since he assumed office at the Western Marine Command, he had received 2.9. tonnes of seized cannabis sativa from the navy.

Meanwhile, the NCS, Western Marine Command, has handed over the intercepted codeine cough syrup to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The director of investigation and enforcement of NAFDAC, Shaba Muhammed, represented by principal regulatory officer Isha Salihu, while receiving the intercepted codeine syrup, commended the NCS.

(NAN)