Acting Comptroller General of of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have within one week impounded a total 25, 180 parcels of prohibited Indian Hemp, also called Cannabis Sativa, across various locations in Lagos and Ogun States.

Briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital Monday, acting Comptroller General of the service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed deep worries over the increasing cases of the smuggling of the illicit substance, a development he regretted would have negative implications on the country, especially the youths.

According to him, operatives of the Federal Operations Unit FOU Zone A, Lagos, made seizures of 14,015 parcels of weighting 7,728 kilogrammes worth N618.3million, which were discharged from a boat at the creeks around Ajah in Lagos and Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that a total of three suspects and the seized items have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA on August 2, 2023 while investigations continued. 

The CGC also disclosed that on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at about 0400hrs, a joint patrol team of officers intercepted a wooden boat with two Yamaha outboard engines (40 Horsepower) each containing 103 sacks laden with 8,240 loaves of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, weighting 3,811kilogramme valued at N32.2million. 

It was further gathered that on Monday August 7, 2023 at about 0315hrs with the aid of credible intelligence, Customs operatives seized a total of 2,940 parcels of Cannabis Sativa around Sokoto/Ijoun Road, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The items, it was further gathered, were ingeniously concealed with heaps of pineapple fruits loaded in an unregistered white fiat bus with chassis number 2FA23000006141966.

Two suspects comprising one Mr. Akeem olatunde, a driver and Mr. Abdul Nurudeen Adedeji, a passenger have been arrested and taken into custody pending further investigation.   

The CGC however assured that the management of the service under his watch would stop at nothing in its efforts in collaborating with relevant government agencies to curbillicit trade in harmful drugs in the country.

He said: “cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana or Indian hemp, is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. It is known for its mind-altering effects and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. The abuse of cannabis sativa has far-reaching consequences on society, particularly on the youths. Its usage can lead to impaired cognitive function, addiction, and negative impacts on mental health and general wellbeing.

“In recent times, there has been an alarming increase in the abuse of cannabis sativa within the Nigerian society. The harmful effects of this substance on the youths cannot be overstated. It poses a significant challenge to public health and safety, as well as social and economic development. The Nigeria Customs Service recognises the gravity of this situation and is determined to work with our partners to address these concerning trends, through robust measures to combat its proliferation and trade in Nigeria.

“Perpetuators of this nefarious act use ingenious means to force the proliferation of trade in cannabis sativa in Nigeria through various illicit means, including the use of creeks, concealment through land borders, and even smuggling via air routes. The creative concealment techniques employed by traffickers present a significant challenge in the fight against this menace.

“At the Nigeria Customs Service, we also recognise our critical role in protecting society from the entry of harmful substances. We are deeply committed to fulfilling our social contract with Nigerians, ensuring their safety and wellbeing by intercepting illicit drugs and other harmful substances.”