The Nigerian Navy has foiled a sinister plan by a trans-border gang to export cannabis worth over N40 million through the nation’s waterways to other West African countries.
Authorities of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft foiled the plot following the recovery of two fiber boats loaded with 100 bags of the substance.
Naval sources disclosed that the gangs were coasting towards Benin Republic, when they were accosted by naval personnel of Forward Operation Base at Igbooja Village, close to Badagry area of Lagos State.
Naval sources disclosed that the gangs were coasting towards Benin Republic, when they were accosted by naval personnel of Forward Operation Base at Igbooja Village, close to Badagry area of Lagos State.
On sighting the naval personnel, the suspects, jumped into the river and swam for safety, abandoning their boats.
Recovered bags of suspected cannabis which had inscriptions such as TMT, AI, PMAN, Gad and WK, written on them with a view to portray different genuine owners have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA by the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Mauris Eno.
According to Commodore Eno, “The arrest followed on activities of some suspected criminals who transport canabis and other illicit substances within the area through the waterways.
“The suspected owners absconded before the navy patrol team got to the scene of the crime; as such no person was arrested.
“The substance was packaged in 77 big bags and 23 medium bags, weighing about 4226.6kg with an estimated street value of over N40 million.
He warned that, “The navy under the leadership of the current Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas is determined to rid our waterways of all forms illegalities.
“NNS Beecroft is therefore committed to assisting the NDLEA deal with the issue of trafficking of illicit substance.
“The Navy uses this medium to warn drug traffickers and other criminal elements particularly within our maritime environment to desist from these nefarious activities and pursue lawful means of livelihood”
Emphasizing that the Nigerian Navy was responsible for the maritime security which included areas of pipeline protection and vandalism, Commodore Eno said prosecution of the suspects could not be carried out without the NDLEA hence the decision to hand them over.
He stated that the handover of the recovered substance marked the end of Navy’s preliminary investigation of the case.
On his part, NDLEA’s Principal Staff Officer, Operations and Intelligence, Lagos State Command, Mr. Lawal Isiaka, said that the agency would continue from where the navy stopped.
He said it (NDLEA) would also do all within its ability to curb the use and distribution of illicit drugs across Lagos state in particular and Nigeria in general.
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