The Ondo/Ekiti Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over 140 sacks of cannabis sativa, weighing more than 1,400kg and valued at N112 million.
Comptroller of the command, Morenikeji Bewaji, disclosed this while handing over the seized substances to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo State Command.
According to her, the drugs were intercepted in Ado Ekiti while two suspects were conveying them. They were arrested by a Customs patrol team but later released on health-related bail. The suspects have since fled.
Their surety, identified as Victor Ayodeji, has been arrested and transferred to the NDLEA for further legal action.
“This alarming quantity of cannabis poses a serious danger to society,” Bewaji said. “Drug abuse fuels insecurity, promotes criminality, and disrupts socio-economic development.”
She stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that the synergy between the NCS and NDLEA has yielded significant results.
“In our fight against illicit drugs, cooperation remains a cornerstone. We will keep intensifying our operations, sharing intelligence, and working with other security agencies to combat this threat,” she added.
Bewaji also called on the public to support the agency with timely and credible information, stating that the war against drug trafficking requires collective responsibility.
Receiving the seizure, NDLEA State Commander Nanzing Sallah, represented by Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Adaramola Olumuyiwa, commended the Customs Service for the operation. He assured that the two agencies would continue their collaboration in tackling drug-related crimes.
