The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECFROFT on Tuesday handed over 85 bags of illicit substance suspected to be cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Navy Capt. Mutalib Raji, executive officer of the NNS BEECFROFT, at the handing over in Apapa, Lagos State, said each bag weighed 85kg.

MR Raji, who represented the commander of the ship, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, said the illicit substances were intercepted on July 14 after actionable intelligence by the quick response team in the base and Deep Blue Boats.

“We got credible intelligence about some individuals who were seen at Mobile Beach offloading the items thereby, deployed our men to go there for investigation and arrest.

“They met the criminals offloading the bags of cannabis sativa, but on sighting our men, the criminals fled, leaving their boat and items behind.

“About 60 bags of cannabis sativa were initially arrested, but as we combed the entire area, 25 other bags were discovered,” he said.

Mr Raji said an investigation was ongoing to determine the source of the items and those behind the illicit act.

According to the NDLEA marine commander, Paul Ahom, intelligence has it that most drugs are loaded from Togo and Ghana en route to the Republic of Benin down to Nigerian waterways.

“However, if there is no lead or suspect arrested in the operation, it makes it difficult for us to ascertain the route of where these substances are coming from,” he said.

Mr Ahom said the market value of the drugs would be close to N400 million, and its effects on society could be quite devastating.

“Most of the hoodlums, kidnappers, terrorists, among other criminal elements, become fearless when they take these drugs and use this charged-up energy to carry out their nefarious activities.

“I urge people to desist from drug trafficking because it can put the whole country into disrepute, cripple the financial capacity of the country and has destroyed many families,” he said.

(NAN)