Nigerian Navy Seizes 50 Sacks Of Cannabis Worth N70m In Badagry Bust

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, Lagos intercepted 50 sacks of cannabis sativa valued at N70 million in the Gbethrome community. Lt. Cdr Kelly Umoru, FOB Base Operations Officer, reported on Sunday that the seizure occurred around 6:30 a.m. at an unfinished building close to the beach. Acting on a tip-off, naval operatives discovered the illicit substance stored in these abandoned premises. Umoru highlighted that each of the 50 seized sacks contained approximately 200 parcels of the suspected cannabis, collectively valued at N70 million in the market. “You will recall that on November 9, 2023, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command Operations, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, flagged off an operation codenamed ‘Water Guard’ line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive. “FOB Badagry on Sunday, Nov.19, acting on credible human intelligence, stormed Gbethrome, and discovered 50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa stored in an abandoned building near the beach. “Each of the sacks contains about 200 parcels. The market value of the items is N70million,” he said. This interception aligns with the ‘Water Guard’ operation, initiated on November 9, 2023, following the directive of Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command. The Nigerian Navy intends to hand over the confiscated items to the appropriate agency for further necessary action. This interception follows a similar incident on October 4, where the Navy in Badagry handed over 27 sacks of cannabis sativa, worth N35 million, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Navy Capt. Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, FOB Commanding Officer, stated that these items were seized on September 29 at Pako Beach in Badagry.

NDLEA Seizes 6 Tons Of Skunk In 5 States

NDLEA has intercepted more than six tons of skunk in Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Edo and Gombe states. Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated in Abuja on Sunday that 2,197kg of skunk were recovered in four interdictions in parts of Ondo State within four days. He explained that 1,165.5kg of skunk were seized in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday, while 691kgs of the drugs were recovered at Ukugu Forest in Ipele, in the state on Tuesday. “A suspect, Ifeanyi Abuguja, 32, was arrested with 87kg of same substance on Monday, October 23 at Agula Road, Ogbese, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. “At Ogbese Market in the same local government area of Ondo State, 253.5kg of the substance were recovered on Thursday, October 26,’’ he stated. Babafemi added that, two suspects, Ayo Dele, 19, and Olaitan Ahmed, 23, were arrested with 160gm of Indian hemp at a drug joint at Inalende area of Ibadan on Sunday, October 22. A follow-up operation at a warehouse in the area led to the recovery of 332kg of Indian hemp, he stated. The spokesman also stated that NDLEA operatives of the Lagos Command recovered a vehicle loaded with 209kg of “Loud’’ at Okun Ajah area of the state on Monday, October 23. Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives in Gombe State recovered an abandoned consignment of 401 blocks of Indian hemp on Saturday. The consignment weighed 392kg, he stated, adding that 21,000 capsules of tramadol were also recovered at Tumfure area of Gombe. “In the early hours of Sunday, October 29, NDLEA operatives in Edo stormed the Utese Forest in Ovia North East Local Government Area. “The operatives evacuated 2,931.3kg of Indian hemp from a warehouse in the forest,’’ Babafemi stated.   

NDLEA Nabs Cocaine, Heroin Ingesting Businessmen Bound For Hong Kong, France

NDLEA operatives arrested one Chimamkpa Emenike (38) on October 20 and one Agbo Chidike (41) on October 21 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for ingesting hard drugs. Emenike was jetting out to France with his ingested heroin while Chidike was on his way to Hong Kong with cocaine in his belly when they were arrested. Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja, that Emenike was arrested at the boarding gate of the airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris. He added that Chidike was taken into custody on October 21 while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa. “After days in custody, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171kg, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine weighing 998.53gm. “In his statement, Chidike claimed he is a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in Ojo area of Lagos. “Chidike was to be paid N3.5 million which he intended to use to import goods from Hong Kong,’’ Babafemi stated. He added that NDLEA operatives intercepted a Qatar Airways passenger, Agbo Tochukwu, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday, October 25 while on his way to Oman. The suspect had 58 parcels of skunk weighing 29.10kg on him while undergoing processes of boarding his flight. “In his statement, Tochukwu claimed he migrated to Oman on May 6 and had been working as hotel attendant there before venturing into drug trafficking,’’ Babafemi stated.