Customs FOU Zone A Seizes N3.95bn Drugs, Hands Over to NDLEA
By Francis Ugwoke
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced seizures of Illicit drugs which value was put at over N3.951 billion.
This was disclosed by the Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, during the handover ceremony to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Lagos.
Aliyu while briefing newsmen described the seizures as a practical demonstration of the commitment of the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Aliyu also said that this shows the importance of Strategic partnership in the war against smuggling and other forms of transborder crime.
The Controller told newsmen, “The Psychotropic Substance being handed over today were intercepted and seized by the gallant officers and men of this Unit during our sustained anti-smuggling operations along the along the boarder corridor , highways, and other strategic locations within our Area Of Responsibility (AOR).”
A breakdown of the seizures, include “5,669 parcels, and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9KG, 31/2 packs of Grinded Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 3.45kg, two packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 1kg, 11 small packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 0.35kg, 24 packets of backwoods Russian Cream Cigars weighing 0.5g, 49 wraps of Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 26.1kg and one wrap of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg”.
Other items handed over to the NDLEA were 1,754 packs and 6, 948 sachet of 225mg, 100mg of Tramadol Tablets, 1200 Hypnox Tablets 1mg, and 97 bottles of Codeine Syrup.
The Controller said, “The illicit movement of Cannabis Sativa and other controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health, national security and the future of our young people. Such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems”
The Controller assured that the Customs Service will continue to support the efforts of the NDLEA by disrupting the movement of narcotic drugs and illicit goods across Nigeria’s borders.
According to him, ” We are equally committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigation whenever necessary.The formal transfer of these items to the NDLEA will enable the Agency to conduct the appropriate forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes in accordance with the law. It will also ensure that the seized narcotics are handled, stored and disposed of in a secure and professionally regulated manner”.
Apart from the drugs, the Zone A equally seized four cylinders of a Chemical weighting 34.5kg each confirmed to be high grade MERCURY that is used in small scale for illegal mining of GOLD.
“This item has dual purposes, it has significant environmental hazards and it is controlled by MINAMATA CONVENTION. The chemicals will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) which is the appropriate environmental regulatory competence for further agency actions.”, Aliyu told newsmen.
These items were said to have a street value of N3,951.085,000.
He also said that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and also handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.
He added, “This event underscores the fact that no single agency can effectively confront the complex nature of contemporary smuggling and trans-border criminality alone. Our collaboration must therefore continue through information sharing, joint operations, coordinated intelligence, capacity building and prompt transfer of items that fall within the jurisdiction of partner agencies.
“I wish to commend the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation and professionalism. I also appreciate the support of all sister security and regulatory agencies whose contributions continue to strengthen our collective efforts. Let me reiterate that the Federal Operations Unit will not relent in its responsibilities. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, effective patrols and robust enforcement operations to disrupt the activities of smugglers and criminal networks.
“Our men have continued to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the law in the discharge of their duties. We shall continue to facilitate legitimate trade while firmly preventing the movement of prohibited, harmful and improperly regulated goods. The fight against narcotics trafficking, environmental crimes and other forms of smuggling is a collective responsibility”.
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced seizures of Illicit drugs which value was put at over N3.951 billion.
This was disclosed by the Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, during the handover ceremony to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Lagos.
Aliyu while briefing newsmen described the seizures as a practical demonstration of the commitment of the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Aliyu also said that this shows the importance of Strategic partnership in the war against smuggling and other forms of transborder crime.
The Controller told newsmen, “The Psychotropic Substance being handed over today were intercepted and seized by the gallant officers and men of this Unit during our sustained anti-smuggling operations along the along the boarder corridor , highways, and other strategic locations within our Area Of Responsibility (AOR).”
A breakdown of the seizures, include “5,669 parcels, and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9KG, 31/2 packs of Grinded Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 3.45kg, two packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 1kg, 11 small packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 0.35kg, 24 packets of backwoods Russian Cream Cigars weighing 0.5g, 49 wraps of Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 26.1kg and one wrap of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg”.
Other items handed over to the NDLEA were 1,754 packs and 6, 948 sachet of 225mg, 100mg of Tramadol Tablets, 1200 Hypnox Tablets 1mg, and 97 bottles of Codeine Syrup.
The Controller said, “The illicit movement of Cannabis Sativa and other controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health, national security and the future of our young people. Such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems”
The Controller assured that the Customs Service will continue to support the efforts of the NDLEA by disrupting the movement of narcotic drugs and illicit goods across Nigeria’s borders.
According to him, ” We are equally committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigation whenever necessary.The formal transfer of these items to the NDLEA will enable the Agency to conduct the appropriate forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes in accordance with the law. It will also ensure that the seized narcotics are handled, stored and disposed of in a secure and professionally regulated manner”.
Apart from the drugs, the Zone A equally seized four cylinders of a Chemical weighting 34.5kg each confirmed to be high grade MERCURY that is used in small scale for illegal mining of GOLD.
“This item has dual purposes, it has significant environmental hazards and it is controlled by MINAMATA CONVENTION. The chemicals will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) which is the appropriate environmental regulatory competence for further agency actions.”, Aliyu told newsmen.
These items were said to have a street value of N3,951.085,000.
He also said that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and also handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.
He added, “This event underscores the fact that no single agency can effectively confront the complex nature of contemporary smuggling and trans-border criminality alone. Our collaboration must therefore continue through information sharing, joint operations, coordinated intelligence, capacity building and prompt transfer of items that fall within the jurisdiction of partner agencies.
“I wish to commend the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation and professionalism. I also appreciate the support of all sister security and regulatory agencies whose contributions continue to strengthen our collective efforts. Let me reiterate that the Federal Operations Unit will not relent in its responsibilities. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, effective patrols and robust enforcement operations to disrupt the activities of smugglers and criminal networks.
“Our men have continued to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the law in the discharge of their duties. We shall continue to facilitate legitimate trade while firmly preventing the movement of prohibited, harmful and improperly regulated goods. The fight against narcotics trafficking, environmental crimes and other forms of smuggling is a collective responsibility”.
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