The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, said it intercepted different contrabands, including bags of foreign rice, cannabis sativa, others, with a value of N352m within two months.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Patrick Ntadi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos while handing over some of the seized hard drugs to officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
He added that these contrabands were intercepted around the Badagry Waterways and environs. Giving details of the seizures, he explained that a total of 2,017 bags worth N212m and 481 loaves of cannabis sativa worth N50m were seized within the period under review.
“Others include seven sacks of 50kg sugar valued at N672,000, 72 rolls of foreign plain materials worth N71m, nine boats worth N17.5m, among others. These seizures have a duty paid value of N352m,” he said.
According to Ntadi, the seizures represent a significant blow to criminal networks involved in illicit trade and smuggling activities.
Ntadi maintained that the achievement reaffirms the command’s commitment to protecting the borders and ensuring that lawful trade and commerce thrive within the economy.
He emphasised that the success is attributable to the motivation given to the command from the Controller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, “including enhanced intelligence gathering and improved collaboration with other security agencies.”
“We also owe our success to the deployment of more patrol vessels along the coastlines and inland waterways. We remain vigilant and proactive, continually updating our strategies to counter evolving smuggling tactics,” Ntadi stated.
The WMC Customs boss urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in the waterways.
“Our collective efforts are essential in safeguarding our country’s economic integrity and social order,” he stated.
He vowed that the command would not relent in its fight against smuggling and illegal activities. “We are committed to upholding the laws of our land, protecting our citizens, and ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
Ntadi, however, handed over the seized cannabis to an acting Commander of the Marine Command of NDLEA, Emmanuel Morrison. Speaking after receiving the cannabis, Morrison thanked the service for its continued collaboration.