Nigerian Navy Intercepted 261 Bags Of Cannabis Worth Over N100million

Five crew, all foreigners, were arrested onboard a large boat smuggling the contraband.  The Nigerian Navy intercepted 261 bags of cannabis worth over N100million during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Bashir Mohammed made the announcement on Thursday.

He said in late December, the Navy intensified intelligence gathering, water patrols and internal security efforts under Operation Mesa.

Mohammed told reporters at the NNS BEECROFT parade ground in Apapa that 413 bags of foreign rice and 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were also seized.

“The smuggled rice is worth over N13million in the local market and this is to the detriment of Nigeria’s local content drive”, Mohammed lamented.

The Commander disclosed that NNS ABA, NNS, KANO and NNS OSUN played significant roles in the apprehension of the smugglers and products.

All suspects and exhibits will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation.

Mohammed further recalled that in October, NNS BEECROFT arrested two vessels for trafficking 32.9kg and 13.65kg of cocaine.

“The cocaine seized in both occasions is worth over N10billion in the local market”, the senior officer informed the public.