FOU ‘A’ SEIZES CANNABIS WORTH OVER #3.9, MERCURY, ILLICIT MEDICAMENTS, OTHERS

Story by Dili Utomi.

The Zone ‘A’ Unit of the federal operations, Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller Gambo Aliyu has dealt a huge blow to the pockets of illegal traders. The interventionist Unit recorded massive seizure of synthetic cannabis sativa among several other seizures of Illegitimate items of trade over a few weeks period.

The Coordinator of the Unit, Comptroller Aliyu informed the audience at a press briefing on Thursday, the 3rd of September that decisive actions against drugs trafficking syndicates in the Zone has led to the interceptions of the following items:

a)5, 669 parcels, and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9KG,
b)31/2 packs of Grinded Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 3.45kg,
c)2 packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 1kg,
d)11 small packs of Granula Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 0.35kg,
e)24 packets of backwoods Russian Cream Cigars weighing 0.5g,
f)49 wraps of Cannabis (SKUNK) weighing 26.1kg
g)1 wrap of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg are being formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and other necessary action in accordance with its statutory mandate. These were handed over to the representative of the National Drugs Law Enforcement and Agency (NDLEA) on the day.

Other items also seized and to be handed over to the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the day include, 1,754 packs and 6, 948 sachet of 225mg, 100mg of Tramadol Tablets, 1200 Hypnox Tablets 1mg, and 97 bottles of Codeine Syrup.

Similarly, officers of the Unit also intercepted and seized (4) Cylinders of a Chemical weighting 34.5kg each confirmed to be high grade MERCURY that is used in small scale for illegal mining of GOLD. This item has dual purposes, it has significant environmental hazards and it is controlled by MINAMATA CONVENTION. The chemicals will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) which is the appropriate environmental regulatory competence for further agency actions.

The seized narcotics has a street value of Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty One Million, Eighty Five Thousand Naira Only (N3,951,085,000), and 3 suspects arrested in connection with the seizures will be handed along side with the narcotics substances.

Comptroller Aliyu commended the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation and professionalism. He also appreciates the support of all sister security and regulatory agencies whose contributions, he noted “continue to strengthen our collective efforts. Let me reiterate that the Federal Operations Unit will not relent in its responsibilities. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, effective patrols and robust enforcement operations to disrupt the activities of smugglers and criminal networks”. He added.

While alerting the public about the dangers in dealing in items of Illegitimate trade and admonishing that only legitimate trade shall be allowed as mandated by law, Comptroller Aliyu stated that his men have continued to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the law in the discharge of their duties.

“We shall continue to facilitate legitimate trade while firmly preventing the movement of prohibited, harmful and improperly regulated goods. The fight against narcotics trafficking, environmental crimes and other forms of smuggling is a collective responsibility”. He affirmed.

The seized items were handed over to the relevant agencies for further actions.

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