Navy Transfers 85 Bags of Cannabis to NDLEA

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECFROFT handed over 85 bags of suspected cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). At the handover ceremony held at NNS BEECFROFT in Apapa, Lagos State, Navy Capt. Mutalib Raji, representing Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, revealed that each bag weighed 85 kg.

The contraband was seized on July 14 following actionable intelligence gathered by the base’s Quick Response Team and Deep Blue Boats.

“Based on credible information about individuals offloading the substances at Mobile Beach, our team was deployed for investigation and arrest,” Raji said. “Upon arrival, the suspects fled, abandoning their boat and the drugs.”

Initially, 60 bags of cannabis were seized, but further searches uncovered an additional 25 bags.

Raji noted that an investigation is underway to identify the source of the drugs and those involved in the trafficking.

NDLEA Marine Commander Paul Ahom indicated that many drugs are trafficked from Togo and Ghana through the Republic of Benin to Nigerian waterways. He emphasized the challenge of tracing the drugs without arresting suspects.

Ahom estimated the market value of the seized drugs to be around N400 million, highlighting their potential societal impact.

He praised NNS BEECFROFT for their role in combating drug trafficking and assured that both the Navy and NDLEA are committed to preventing the influx of illegal substances into Nigeria.