Customs impounds N682m Sativa Cannabis from Canada

Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday confiscated specially grown Sativa Cannabis from Canada and arrested unspecified number of suspects that are currently being investigated.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Customs Area Comptroller, Controller Dera Nnadi, said that Command received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers along with some suspected criminal importers.

Nnadi said that the drugs were neatly packed in three containers with numbers, MSMU518030/2,  MSMU 602957/0 andFSCU 927461/3 adding that after a  joint 100% physical examination was conducted on the containers on the 2nd of  August, 2024 it was revealed that 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg. were found in one of the containers.

He stated: “In the coming weeks, it is our hope and desire to hand over several other containers of similar nature after consultations with Customs Headquarters.

“In the interim, the Command having received actionable intelligence on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs from one of the source countries, intercepted the three containers which we are showcasing today. The drugs extracted from the containers were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) TCIP, in furtherance of existing interagency collaboration and the MOU signed between the NDLEA and NCS.

‘‘A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on August 02, 2024 and the examination revealed 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5kg.

‘‘At the time of processing the intelligence, system profiling indicated that a declaration was made on an SGD Number withheld on 30-07-2024, listing three used vehicles.

“A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is Mediterranean Shipping , Company, MSC.

“A joint 100% physical examination was conducted on 8 Aug 2024 and the examination revealed 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5kg. At the time of processing the intelligence, no declaration had been entered. The shipping company with respect to the consignment is MSC.

“Investigation by the Command and our partner agency the NDLEA is ongoing and the NDLEA will update you on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution.

“In furtherance of the synergy between the NDLEA and the NCS, the Command  handed over the contents of the three containers totaling 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg with a street value of N682million’’.