The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, handed over 20,000 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Also handed to the anti-narcotics agency were unregistered cartons of D5 tablets, tramadol (an opioid medicine used for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain) and five suspects.
Speaking at the official hand over of the contraband, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the war against illicit drugs must be declared as a national emergency in view of the frightening dimension the scourge has assumed in recent times.
While aligning with the World Health Organisation (WHO) that unchecked drug abuse remains a ticking time bomb, Adeniyi said the menace must be aggressively tackled as dangerous drugs pose severe threats to public health, security, and social harmony.
He added that authorities in the field, including the WHO, have consistently warned against the consequences of unchecked drug abuse, linking it to increased crime rates, compromised public safety, and hindrance to economic development.
“This is not solely a Customs or NDLEA concern; it is a national crisis that demands immediate and collective attention.
“The alarming extent of this menace is vividly illustrated by the widespread nature of the seizures, spanning across various customs commands nationwide.
“FOU Zone A: 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, totalling 7,461 Kg; FOU Zone B, 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp, 2,409 packets, and 8,700 unregistered sachets of Tramadol, along with 2,042 sealed nylons containing D5 Tablets.
“FOU Zone C. 3,213 Parcels/blocks and 935 sacks of cannabis sativa.
“Ogun 1 Area Command, 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 3,312.7 KG.
“Western Marine Command, 1,205 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 624 kg and 109 packs by 6 pieces by 10 sachets of Tramadol,” he disclosed.
The CGC emphasised that the battle against illicit drugs requires a united front, adding that communities play a pivotal role in the fight.
He appealed communities to see themselves as key partners in the quest for a drug-free nation. “It is not just a responsibility of law enforcement agencies; it is a collective duty of every citizen. By partnering with Customs and NDLEA, communities become the first line of defence against the menace of illicit drugs. We emphasise the critical need for synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA.
“Together, we form an unyielding front against drug traffickers and their nefarious activities. Our collaboration extends beyond this handover; it is a commitment to ongoing cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint operations, and policy alignment. “We are actively tracking collaborators, and they will face the full wrath of the law. Nigerian laws regarding drug trafficking and abuse will be rigorously applied to ensure that justice is served, and the guilty parties are held accountable.
“The law is not only our shield but our sword in the fight against drug trafficking”, he added.
In his remarks, the NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, represented by director operations and general investigation, Samuel Gadzama said that Customs and NDLEA are accentuating the gains of inter-agency.
He said: “For every crime and criminality, drugs play a prominent role.
“We signed MoU with Customs during Hameed Ali’s tenure. I’m happy that Wale Adeniyi is bringing the MoU to life.
We’re taking over the exhibit and if this leads to investigation, we shall do so.
“NDLEA is not the same as old. Under the new Chairman, it’s a new place.
“We shall immediately destroy these drugs. We won’t give room for the possibility of circulating it back into the society. It won’t be more than three weeks from now so it doesn’t get back to society,” he said.
He encouraged other security agencies to unite as criminals do not have boundaries.
“But we the security agencies are restricted by law, resources and all that but we must still cooperate to solve drug issues because if we solve it, we have solved 40% of security challenges in the country,” he said. (Sun)