*The Indian Hemp consignment

The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a total of 553 bundles Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian Hemp with a street value estimated at over N10million in Badagry area of Lagos. Operatives of the command have also arrested four suspects in connection with the seizure.

 Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, who confirmed the seizure, disclosed that operatives of the command, who were on routine patrol along the Abidjan – Lagos trade Corridor at about 4am today, April 21, 2023, intercepted a Ford Bus with registration number EPE 622 YC at Gbatrome, Badagry area of Lagos.

He further disclosed that upon search of the bus, seven large sacks containing 553 (five hundred and fifty-three) parcels of the illicit product were discovered. It was also gathered that the four male occupants of the vehicle comprising of two civilians and two members of one of the sister security agencies conveying the contraband items have been arrested and currently helping with the investigations.

Comptroller Nnadi also confirmed that the contraband narcotics valued at about N10million Naira and the means of conveyance (the Ford vehicle) were equally taken to the station at Seme and detained pending further investigations.

Also taken to the station are the four male suspects who have volunteered statements while the two members of one of the sister security agencies have been handed over to their agency for further necessary action.

Preliminary investigations, which followed the questioning of the suspects revealed that the Indian hemp consignment was destined for Kaduna State.

While condemning the nefarious act, Comptroller Nnadi noted that people could find other genuine sources of earning a living instead of taking to crime. He expressed worries that the members of the society, who have taken to such means of livelihood do not have any consideration for the damaging effects of such hard drugs which contribute to the increasing crimes in the country.

He therefore enjoined members of the society who traverse the Seme Corridor to take advantage of the trade facilitation efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service and engage in legitimate business, warning that the command is leaving no stone unturned in smoking out such criminally minded members of the society around the Lagos-Abidjan trade corridor and its environs.

Comptroller Nnadi, who doubles as Chairman of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, urges all stakeholders and officers and men of the Service and sister border agencies along the corridor to remain vigilant and alert during the Sallah celebration as smugglers may wish to take advantage the public holidays to engage in their reprehensible acts. He also directed them to ensure that all facilities and critical government infrastructure in their Area of responsibilities are protected during this period as always.