The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, on Wednesday, said it intercepted 2,433 kg of cannabis sativa and 195 bottles of codeine syrups (300 ml each) along the inland waterways in the South Western part of the country.

Addressing journalists during the handing over ceremony of the seized contrabands to the duo of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Paul Bamisaiye, said two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

Bamisaiye stated that the seizure reaffirmed the WMC commitment to securing the nation’s inland waterways and stopping illicit trade.

“You will recall just last week, the command informed members of the public of the seizure of 53 sacks of cannabis sativa, but in a recent operation within the Badagry axis, two suspects with 29 loaves of cannabis sativa concealed in a sack of re-bagged rice were intercepted,” Bamisaiye said.

“Today, we formally hand over 4,973 loaves of cannabis sativa, two suspects, and 195 bottles of 300 ml codeine to NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution,” he explained.

The CAC emphasised that the seizures were made across the South-Western waterways, reaffirming their commitment to securing the country’s waterways and stopping illicit trade.

He attributed the success to strong inter-agency collaboration, “because no single agency can win this fight alone, and together, we are making a real impact.”

Bamisaiye, however, stated that the command believes that handing over illicit drugs to the NDLEA would aid the fight against drug abuse and illicit trade.

Also speaking, the Marine Commander of the NDLEA, Emmanuel Udoh, said the agency will ensure proper investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

According to him, swift prosecution of suspects will go a long way in disrupting the trading and movement of illicit drugs.