The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Owerri , last week made a landmark seizure of 399.5kg wraps of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Indian hemp, valued at over N9 million.
The illegal goods were concealed in a luxury bus to beat security.
According to the Customs Area Controller, Dimka Victor David, the exhibits, which were impounded along the 9th Mile axis of Enugu State when the Customs officers on duty, acting on intelligence, flagged down the vehicle for search.
He said the driver of the luxury bus, being the prime suspect, would be investigated and if found guilty, jailed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“We acted on information made available to us. Our men took strategic positions, intercepted the bus and eventually recovered the Cannabis alongside other contraband, such as foreign rubber slippers, used motorcycle and used computers,” he stated.
Dimka, while displaying the drugs which were later handed over to officials of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, warned that the entire Zone C of the NCS has become a “no go area” for smugglers, their agents and collaborators. He stressed that officers and men of the Service are now better trained, motivated and equipped with the state-of-the-art gadgets to deal decisively with unrepentant smugglers wherever they may be. He assured that the NCS would continue to strengthen her existing synergy with other sister agencies in the war against smuggling.
“Despite efforts to reduce smuggling, smugglers have refused to listen to the voice of reason and it is quite unfortunate and disheartening that the deviants have continued in their nefarious trade,” he lamented. Receiving the seizures on behalf of the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, the Commander, NDLEA, Enugu State Command, Anthony Nkem Ohanyere, reiterated the determination of the agency to win the war against illicit trade, stressing that the drug war was not the exclusive responsibility of the NDLEA, but that of all levels of government and well meaning Nigerians.
He regretted that the continued consumption of hard drugs by some disgruntled individuals has led to the upsurge of all manners of criminality in the society with many youths ruined in the pursuit of their lofty careers.
Ohanyere expressed delight at the inter-agency relationship between NCS and NDLEA, and assured that his agency would carry out a detailed investigation on the items seized to serve as a deterrent to others still trapped in drug trafficking.
The NCS, he said, has been modernised and stands shoulder high anywhere across the globe, hence all hands should be on deck to tackle smuggling once and for all.
Source : SunOnline