The Western Ocean Command of Nigeria’s Customs Service said it intercepted 53 bags of marijuana, weighing 1,958 kg, and the payout for duty in Lagos is N398 million.
The commander’s public relations officer, Lomba Benjamin, revealed this in a statement Friday, February 21.
Paul Bamisaiye, the customs area controller who is in charge of the command, said the contraband was intercepted at Ilase Sea Beach, about 200 miles from the Lagos anchorage.
He said the smugglers tried to escape but were overwhelmed by the officers, so “they gave up the boat and jumped into the sea.”
“The ship was quickly fixed and taken to the office, where it was found that the cannabis sativa, which contained 3,793 loaves of bread, was divided into 53 sacks and weighed 1,958 kg. The tax value of the seized was N398M,” he said.
He stressed that the contraband intercepted at 11 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 is the result of the command’s ongoing focus and strengthening efforts by Hawkeye officials.
He said the interception was the highest single surgical seizure of marijuana Sativa under his government.
Bamisaiye added that two months ago, the order seized 15 sacks containing 1,021 marijuana sativa, weighing 538 kg and worth 538 kg.
He added that hard drugs will be handed over to Nigerian drug enforcement agencies under established procedures.
He said the headquarters will continue to work with other sister agencies to ensure that the country’s borders are well protected.
