Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reinforced its maritime border security operations with the interception of 20 sacks of Cannabis Indica, valued at N157.83 million, signaling a renewed offensive against smuggling along Nigeria’s western waterways.
Addressing newsmen, the Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, disclosed that the illicit consignment was neatly packed into 1,205 wraps and suspected to have been smuggled into the country through the nation’s porous maritime routes.
According to Ntadi, the seizure was driven by enhanced intelligence gathering, improved inter-agency collaboration and strong operational backing from the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
“This January, we will be taking delivery of seven boats, brand new ones,” Ntadi said. “I know that the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, is reaching everywhere to make sure that operations are handled effortlessly. When we take delivery, we will get into the sea, be more efficient, more effective, and achieve more goals.”
Beyond anti-smuggling operations, the CAC highlighted the Command’s role in facilitating legitimate trade, noting that the Container Seat team escorted 21,414 containers from seaports to bonded terminals to promote transparency and compliance in cargo movement.
“These operational achievements reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the command to its statutory responsibilities of revenue protection, border security and trade facilitation,” Ntadi added.
The intercepted cannabis consignment has since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for further investigation and prosecution.
Earlier, Comptroller Ntadi received visiting Area Controllers from Zone A, including Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Joe Anani of Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited, and Comptroller Frank Onyeka of Tin Can Island Port Command.
Speaking during the Command’s parade, Comptroller Oshoba charged officers to uphold professionalism and discipline in their duties.
“Discipline is key, building yourself up is key, having foresight for the service is key,” Oshoba said. “The only way for us to survive in this environment is to be very professional.”
The latest seizure underscores the growing focus on maritime security as Nigeria intensifies efforts to secure its waterways against drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
