Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has uncovered cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio
The illicit drugs packaged in 24 parcels/slabs were hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence led checks that has resulted in the detention of the ship
Apparently pleased with the development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), NCS, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba lauded the discovery while describing it as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
A statement by the command and signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Isah Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) quoted the CAC saying that NCS intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship’s country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.
Oshoba reiterated NCS resolve in ensuring that only legitimate trade thrives in Apapa port following a zero compromise directive by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the CAC handed over the seized drugs to NDLEA for further action just as he also announced the detention of the vessel that came into Nigeria with the cocaine.
Continuing, Oshoba said: “What has happened today is the outcome of profiling and intelligence led operations by the NCS and NDLEA. Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.
“This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system. Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here.
“As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation. All consignments exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared”.
At a brief handover ceremony in the port, NDLEA which was represented by its Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, CN Haliru Umar formally took over the seizure from NCS.
