The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, intercepted 1,153 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) along the Yamboa Axis of Bukuro, Baruten Local Government, on July 3, 2024. The illegal consignment, concealed within a DAF truck, has an estimated street value of N57.6 million.
Speaking at a press briefing, Comptroller Faith Matthew Ojeifo, the Area Controller of the Kwara State Command, said that the marijuana and the truck, valued at N21.5 million, were handed over to the Kwara State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the NCS headquarters in Ilorin. The driver of the truck had fled the scene upon realizing that customs officers had uncovered the hidden contraband.
The interception, carried out as part of the NCS mandate to suppress smuggling and enforce border security, saw the officers conducting a meticulous search of the truck after the driver’s suspicious escape. Upon discovery, the truck was immediately transferred to the Command’s headquarters for a thorough examination, which revealed the drugs hidden in fabricated compartments.
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In accordance with Section 250 of the Customs Service Act 2023, the truck will be forfeited to the Federal Government. Comptroller Ojeifo emphasized that this seizure underscores the commitment of the NCS to curbing smuggling activities and protecting the nation from the dangers of illicit drug trafficking.
In addition to the drug bust, Ojeifo highlighted other achievements of the command, including the seizure of 2,750 liters of PMS, valued at N550,000, which were set for illegal export despite the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country. He also reported that the command generated over N3.37 billion in revenue between June and July 2024, contributing to a total of N13.4 billion remitted to the federation account since January 2024.
CL Fatimo Popoola Abiola, the Commandant of the Kwara State NDLEA, praised the Customs Service for their vigilance and swift action in intercepting the large haul of marijuana. She noted the potentially devastating impact the drugs could have had on society if they had reached the streets and reiterated the NDLEA’s commitment to working with the NCS to track down those responsible for the trafficking. Popoola highlighted the alarming statistics from a 2018 survey, showing that 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 16 and 64 are involved in drug abuse, underscoring the importance of such interventions.
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