In a swift reaction to intelligence reports on suspicious activities of illicit narcotic dealers, the Quick Response Team of the ongoing Operation WATER GUARD was deployed, leading to the confiscation of bags suspected to be cannabis sativa concealed in a room in an uncompleted building.
According to the Commander Nigerian Navy ship BEECROFT and Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, explained to journalists while briefing them at the Base that in the early hours of Tuesday, 28th November 2023, about 58 bags of Cannabis Sativa were found in the uncompleted building.
Adding that another 129 bags were earlier intercepted at Eleko Beach and Badagry Creek making 187 bags of Cannabis Sativa, reiterated that the total weight was about 8,000 kilograms.
Unfortunately, it was learnt, the criminals, upon sighting the teams, abandoned the narcotics and fled.
However, all the bags were evacuated to the Base and handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for necessary action.
In a statement signed by the Base Information Officer (BINFO), Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins on Wednesday remarked that all efforts of the teams are in fulfillment of key priorities of Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, towards leveraging partnerships with relevant stakeholders, institutions and government agencies under the principle of burden sharing to curb crime and criminality within the maritime environment.
This successful confiscation and handover further underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to reducing the effects of drugs, which are believed to be a catalyst for crimes, violence, and other vices threatening national security.