Ogun 1 Customs Hands Over Seized 1,450kg Cannabis Sativa To NDLEA
Ogun 1 Customs Hands Over Seized 1,450kg Cannabis Sativa To NDLEA
By Jerry Aguigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command has seized 1,450kg illicit drugs suspected to be Canabis Sativa.
During the Showcase of the seizure and handing over ceremony at Idiroko, Ogun, State today, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, the Ogun 1 Customs Area Controller
reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to continue combating smuggling activities within Ogun State which through sustained enforcement efforts backed by credible intelligence, the Command recorded yet another remarkable success.
According to Controller Otunla, this came to fruition during an intelligence-driven operation by the operatives of the Ogun 1 Customs, who intercepted a Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number EPE-595-LA. The vehicle was driven by one Mr. William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Mobil, Challenge area, Ibadan, Oyo State. Upon initial examination, the truck was suspected to be conveying prohibited items. Further inspection revealed that several parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana, had been ingeniously concealed within fabricated compartments — also referred to as a false bottom — of the truck.
In accordance with Section 226 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, 2023, the truck was immediately moved to the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko for further investigation. A comprehensive physical examination revealed a total of 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 1,450kg. Other enabling provisions of the NCS Act 2023 that guided this operation include Sections 6 and 250. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizure amount to N172,920,000.
The successful interception of this large quantity of illicit drugs he said ,” is a significant step in preventing the circulation of these harmful substances in our communities — especially among our youth — and in safeguarding national security.”
He further reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and cross-border crimes.
The Controller succinctly handed over the seized cannabis and the suspect to the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.
This he disclosed was with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate the CGC on his well-deserved election as the Chairperson of the WCO Council, comprising 186 member countries. This is a prestigious global recognition of his visionary leadership and commitment to reform and modernization in the Nigeria Customs Service.”
He announced that the Command has just taken delivery of 13 operational vehicles, generously allocated by the CGC to boost its operational capacity. “We are deeply grateful to him and the entire management team for their continued support and encouragement.”
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