The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded its largest single seizure of cannabis sativa, as officers intercepted a major smuggling attempt on the waterways. The operation, which took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at around 11:00 p.m., was led by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller PK Bamisaiye.

The latest interception occurred approximately 200 nautical miles from the Lagos anchorage, near Ilase sea beach. Acting on credible intelligence, officers spotted the smugglers, who attempted to evade arrest by fleeing into the sea, abandoning their boat. The seized vessel was secured and brought to the Command’s base, where officers discovered 3,793 loaves of cannabis sativa, packed in 53 sacks, weighing a total of 1,958 kg. The haul has a duty-paid value of ₦398,265,000.

This seizure surpasses a previous operation two months ago when the Command intercepted 15 sacks of cannabis weighing 538 kg and valued at ₦107,205,000. Comptroller Bamisaiye attributed the latest success to enhanced intelligence gathering and operational re-strategizing by his team.

He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team for equipping the Command with the necessary resources to combat smuggling. Following standard procedure, the confiscated drugs will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

The Western Marine Command reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigeria’s waterways unsafe for smugglers, warning individuals engaged in illegal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.

Chief Superintendent of Customs Lomba Benjamin, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, reiterated that the agency will continue partnering with other security forces to secure the nation’s borders and prevent the trafficking of illicit goods.