NDLEA lauds Customs on N32.7million hard drugs seizure …Comptroller Binga on 24hours surveillance at creeks  …Tough time awaits smugglers at waterways- Says Ariyibi

NDLEA lauds Customs on N32.7million hard drugs seizure

.Comptroller Binga on 24hours surveillance at creeks

 .Tough time awaits smugglers at waterways- Says Ariyibi

 By Udeme Clement

 The Area Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Seme Command, Mr. Udotong Noah Essien, has commended the Western Marine Command, WMC, of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for seizing and handing over of 1,286 parcels of hard drugs (Cannabis Sativa), with a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of over N32.7million for further investigation.

Mr. Essien, gave this commendation while receiving the items from the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of WMC, Comptroller BN Binga, at the Command yesterday.

According to him, the CAC and his team demonstrated effective synergy by promptly handing over the prohibited items for investigation to be carried out accordingly.

Essien frowned at activities of illicit drugs smugglers on waterways and the health hazards of such drugs to the people, saying NDLEA will carry out thorough investigation to unravel the syndicate behind the crime.

In his remarks, Comptroller Binga said that WMC is maintaining 24 hours patrol surveillance at the creeks and waterways within its area of coverage, in order to thwart the activities of illicit drugs smugglers on waterways.

He said, “The effect of illicit drugs in the society cannot be over-emphasized.

“The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Ali Hameed is seriously talking tough on this. Therefore, we will leave no stone unturned in seizing hard drugs and other prohibited items smuggled into the country through the waterways.

Comptroller Binga went on,  “The CGC and his Management team are working hard to ensure the sea-going vessels are launched, as soon as possible. Officers have been trained for the vessels. We promise to do better with the launch of the vessels”.

He revealed, “In the first quarter of 2019, we made seizures of various items, such as 1,308 cartons of frozen poultry products with DPV of N12,243,500; 2035 bags of foreign rice with DPV of N44.9million and N32.7million Cannabis sativa, with a total DPV of over N90.9million.

In the same vein, the O/C Operations, CSC S. O. Ariyibi, who is also the Acting DC of Enforcement, commended the leadership quality of Comptroller Binga, and his hard work on anti-smuggling operations at the Command.

Ariyibi also explained that the operational strategies of the current CAC brought about tremendous successes recorded by the Command in the first quarter of 2019.

The O/C Operations emphasised that tough time awaits unrepentant smugglers operating within the creeks, as the Command will not hesitate to carry out its statutory functions according to the law.

Still at the handing over of seized hard drugs at WMC, yesterday: