By Okey IROEGBU
The Tincan Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service under the control of Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni was at it again with the showcase of landmark seizures of illicit drugs. The officers of the command reported a number of successfully executed multiple interceptions of illicit drugs, arms and ammunition at various locations, showing a concerted effort to prevent illegal entry into the country through diverse routes and means of conveyance. In an address delivered by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR on Thursday, February 25, 2024, said the command intercepted four containers laden with arms and ammunition alongside illicit drugs imported from South Africa and Canada into the country through the Tin Can Island Port Complex. While addressing journalists and other critical stakeholders at the command on the seizures, CGC Adeniyi who came from Abuja because of the importance attached to the seizures disclosed this feat recorded by operatives of Tin Can Island Command of the service in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to him, the interception of the illicit items, have brought to light, a worrisome trend where criminal networks engaged in collaborative attempts to subvert the competency of the agencies tasked with mitigating the entry of such illicit substances. The smugglers and economic saboteurs who are like the proverbial Sparrow which had learnt to fly without perching, the Customs operative have also learnt to aim without missing as the CG said "Just as criminals find strength in collaboration, government agencies must equally appreciate the advantages of working collectively to fulfil their statutory responsibilities. It is within this context that the ongoing collaborative efforts between the NCS and the Nigeria Drug and Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have consistently yielded positive results." The Comptroller General was much disturbed by the negative effect of these items getting into the nation. According to him "these substances provide the impetus for individuals to engage in heinous acts that undermine the peace and security of our society. Simultaneously, the possession of arms and ammunition empowers these criminal elements, enabling them to brazenly challenge the authority of the state and its security apparatus. "Therefore, disrupting the link between illicit drugs, criminal activities, and access to arms and ammunition stands as a critical strategy in reducing overall crime rates. Suppressing drug-induced altered states and restricting criminal access to weaponry can significantly impact their operational capabilities." He was therefore pleased to outline the result of the successful collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service with particularly, the NDLEA, resulting in the successful interception and seizure of various illicit substances. The seized items include: 65 packets of Colarado Indica weighing 32.5kg seized from 1X40FT Container No. UACU 534833/6 imported from Canada; 17 packets weighing 16.690kg confirmed to be Cocaine, 151
packets Colarado Indica weighing 107 kg, One (1) piece Gen2 Air soft pistol with serial No. 471908, empty magazine, 49 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, 197 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, precursor chemicals for the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, 8 bags weighing 25kg tartaric acid, 100 kegs of unspecified substances seized from 1x40ft Container No. MSCU 458177/0 imported from Durban South Africa. Others are 40packets weighing 39.7kg confirmed to be Cocaine, 1026 packets weighing 688.2kg confirmed to be Colarado Indica, Two (2) pistols without serial numbers, one pistol with Serial No. AZYSRA6YSO12101181, three (3) empty magazines, 275rounds of 5.5mm M16 Tavor live ammunition, Six rounds of 9mm blank ammunition seized from 1x40ft container No. THRU 796807/1 imported from Durban South Africa and 226 packets weighing 128kg confirmed to be Cannabis Indica seized from 1x40ft Container No.MEDU 785276/3 imported from Durban South Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment