The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command has intercepted 2.910 kg of cannabis sativa coming from Ghana.
Mr Paul Ahom, Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA marine command, said this while showcasing the drugs intercepted in Lagos on Wednesday.
According to Ahom, this is the first biggest seizure arrested by the NDLEA Marine Command since inception of the unit, noting that previous seizures made have been transferred by sister agencies.
“On June 20, through credible intelligence, a team of NDLEA officers intercepted a boat along Alfa Beach and upon inspection discovered some substances of drugs suspected to be canabis sativa.
“The drugs where intercepted following an information of a drug trade by the sea.
“ Two Ghananian, Monday Saba, 30-years and Kwana Hakeem, 27-years were intercepted with the drugs and they identified themselves as loaders.
“The shipment was actually coming from Ghana and most of these drugs have always been from Ghana, they are the ones supplying to Nigeria,” he said.
He added that as at the time of interception, the person who was supervising the loaders had already gone to offload the ones they had taken out from the boat.
He noted that further investigation and testing of the substance proved positive that the drug exhibit was canabis sativa otherwise known as Arizona weighing 2.910kg approximately 2.9 tons.
“Investigation has commenced into the matter, and also, a very big boat which they used as means of conveyance was seized.
“On the street value, at the moment I cannot approximate because the price varies and so cannot give the accurate street value of the drugs seized,” he said.
He added that another highpoint of today’s event was also to commence part of activities to mark the 2023 United Nations (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking celebrated every June 26.
“The celebrating coming up on June 26 is the reason for the presence of the other sister security agencies here present.
“The essence of their coming is to join hands with us to mark a week long event to commemorate the day and to further appreciate them for the long standing cooperation and synergy that we have over time.
“They have always been with us in terms of logistics, sometimes, they arrest on their own if we are not available and transfer to us for further investigation,” he said.
He urged that more intelligence be shared among critical stakeholders so that operations would be seamless.
