Navy Hands Over Seized 1,575kg of Indian Hemp to NDLEA in Lagos
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Thursday handed over 45 bags of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, weighing approximately 1,575 kilograms, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at its Apapa base in Lagos.
The Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Nimmyel—represented by the base Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien—said the seizure was made near Ilesha Beach and is part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and secure Nigeria’s maritime environment.
“On July 4, the base’s quick response team, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted two wooden boats suspected of transporting illegal substances around the Takwa Bay and Ilesha Beach axis,” Nimmyel said.
“Upon sighting the patrol team, the suspects fled, abandoning 45 bags of the suspected cannabis sativa.”
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The commander emphasized that the successful interception reflects the Nigerian Navy’s commitment under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to curtail maritime crimes and support internal security operations across the country.
“The Nigerian Navy remains actively engaged in safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways through intensified surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven missions. These efforts aim to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate,” he stated.
Commodore Nimmyel commended the vigilance and professionalism of Navy personnel and called on the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Receiving the seized items, the Deputy Commander of the NDLEA Marine Command, Emmanuel Morrison, confirmed that the substances would be transferred to the central exhibit store and destroyed upon obtaining legal clearance.
Morrison lauded the Nigerian Navy’s steadfast collaboration in the fight against illicit activities, especially within Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
By PRNigeria