The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, intercepted 1,300 parcels of substance suspected to be canabis from two suspects, Itobor Egede, and Munirudeen Ikumapayi, in Ogun State and they were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
In a chat with journalists, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the command, Haruna Mahmod, who was represented by the acting deputy comptroller, Administration, Adamu Abubarkar, said that the contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N62.4million was intercepted by his officers along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode expressway.
He stated that the suspected substances were heading to Cross River State before it was intercepted by gallant and eagle-eyed officers of the command.
He said, “The seizures was made through intelligence and stop and search operation by our officers on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode axis of Ogun State.”
However, a representative of the NDLEA, Lawal Opeloyeru, said that the substance would be subjected to forensic examination after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
He stated this after the suspects and substances were handed over to the officers of the agency.
The principal staff officer, however, extolled the customs officers, saying that they showed high level of tolerance amidst temptation from the suspects.
“I congratulate the customs for the great achievement because an arrest of this nature comes with temptation and compromise, but we are happy today that the interest of the nation is more paramount to your officers. Most crimes are committed under the influence of drugs, but we will continue to be on the look out to ensure that Nigeria is free of this influence for all of us to live in.
“Also, we at the NDLEA will advise others who are in this illicit trade to have a rethink before the full wrath of law will catch up with them,” Opeloyeru stated.