ZAINAB JUNAID
TinCan Island Port(TCIP) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted and handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00 to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, revealing that the hard drugs were concealed in three different Containers.
According to him, “It gives me great pleasure, to welcome you to this Hand-over Ceremony that offers the opportunity to unveil three (3) seizures in Tincan Island Area Command. The Command having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers which we are showcasing today.”
Comptroller Dera said the containers were seized after 100% joint physical examination revealed they concealed hard drugs.
Highlighting details of the seizures he noted that 100% joint physical examination was conducted on container MSMU 518030/2 (1X40FT) on 2 Aug 2024 and it revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg and at the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on an SGD Number withheld on 30-07-2024, listing three (3) used vehicles.
The second container according to him, was seized on 8 August 2024 when examination conducted on it revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg.
“Physical examination was conducted on a Container with number MSMU 602957/0 (1X40FT) on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.
“Also on 8 August 2024, joint examination was conducted on another container with number FSCU 927461/3 (1X40FT) and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC,” he stated.
Comptroller Dera further revealed that, “Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution.
“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command is handing over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682, 050,000.00”.
While reaffirming commitment to achieve set mandate of curbing illegal activities, Comptroller Dera said the Command and the Service will continue to deploy all necessary resources and strategies at its disposal and in collaboration with other security and other regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and dangerous substances.
