The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) says it thwarted smuggling activities and seized contraband valued at over 900 million naira within three months.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mailafiya Magaji on Friday, the interception was from August to October, 2023.
Magaji, who is a Superitendent of Customs explained that the WMC, in accordance with its primary mandate outlined in Section 4 of the NCS Act 2023, executed rigorous border enforcement and regulatory activities.
This, he said, resulted in the arrest and seizure of significant illegal goods.
During the operations, officers and men of the WMC confiscated 17 sacks containing 1,199 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), totaling 663.5kg in September and October 2023. These arrests were conducted along the Moba waterways and Sanki Beach Axis on the 31st of August 2023 and 4th of October 2023, respectively.
Under the leadership of Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, the WMC also apprehended 66,000 capsules of 225mg Tramadol and 1,257 sacks of foreign parboiled rice, collectively exceeding a duty paid value of 50 million Naira.
In a related incident, the Command seized 3,750 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during two separate arrests on the 27th of October 2023.
In August 2023, the WMC seized 103 sacks containing 8,240 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the 7th of September, 2023.
The cumulative value of the ten seizures conducted by the WMC from August to October 2023 amounts to N923,794,000 Naira only.
Comptroller Salefu emphasized the imperative for the general public to respect and adhere to government fiscal policies, prohibitions, and restrictions.
He added that these measures are in place to safeguard national security, foster economic growth, and contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria.
