Operatives of the Nigerian Navy intercepted 127 bags of cannabis sativa worth N254 million on Friday.
Also intercepted in the operation by the Navy on the fiber boat at Eleko Beach, Lekki, and in the vicinity of Liverpool, Apapa, Lagos State, are jerry cans and drums of automotive gas oil, popularly known as diesel.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, revealed in a press statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday that the interceptions were made possible by intelligence gathered from the Falcon Eye Alignment, a state-of-the-art maritime domain awareness facility.
He stated that the Navy patrol squad confiscated 113 bags of Cannabis Sativa at the beach and then extended their search along the Badagry road, arresting 14 more bags.
Oguntuga went on to say that when the criminals saw the Navy team, they abandoned the narcotics and boat and ran, while the squad secured the boat and illicit drugs. He stated that the NNS patrol squad confiscated 113 bags of Cannabis Sativa at the beach and then extended their search along the Badagry road, arresting 14 more bags.
Oguntuga went on to say that when the criminals saw the team, they abandoned the narcotics and boat and ran, while the squad secured the boat and illicit drugs.
He said, “Acting on credible intelligence, the team swiftly responded, leading to the confiscation of 113 bags of cannabis sativa at the beach. This commendable effort further extended along the Badagry route, resulted in the arrest of an additional 14 bags.”
“The boat was found to be laden with petroleum products suspected to be AGO, stored in hundreds of drums and jerrycans,” Commodore Oguntuga said of the intercepted petroleum items.
“The criminals, upon sighting the team, abandoned the narcotics and fled the scene while the Quick Response Team secured the narcotics, the boat, and its illicit cargo.”
Oguntuga stated that the squad returned the AGO jerry cans and drums, as well as a pumping machine, to their base and that all illegal cargo would be sent over to the right authorities for a thorough inquiry.
“The seized items, including the petroleum products and a pumping machine, were safely transported back to the base for further investigation and necessary actions.”
“Also, all seized contraband items, totaling 127 bags, would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for necessary action.”
“These successful arrests underscore the Nigerian Navy’s dedication, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to combating illicit drug trafficking and preserving the well-being and protection of the nation’s resources.”
