You see, there have been reports of rising use of Indian hemp among young Nigerians, but not so much is said about the dealers.
Also, it has been said that Nigeria’s border is one of the most porous around the world.
However, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is doing their best to redeem the image of the country.
One thing they pursue is ensuring smugglers of illicit drugs and other contraband goods do not manoeuver at the borders.
In fact, recently, an Indian hemp seller lost ₦10 million to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and that is a huge sum.
While the customs are happy about the catch, the drug dealer, allegedly in Kaduna, must be counting his loss.
Trouble started for the dealer when the customs’ determination to stop drugs from getting into Nigeria through its borders motivated them to follow the drug matter to a logical conclusion.
Indeed, the vow to safeguard Nigeria’s borders from the activities of smugglers of contraband goods made them search for the drugs until they found it.
The Area Controller of Seme Customs command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi said on Friday in Semé that the NCS arrested four suspects in the course of the operation.
The ₦10-million-worth Indian hemp was packed in 553 parcels and carried in a Ford Bus.
The registration number of the bus is EPE 622 YC and it was intercepted at Gbatrome, Badagry.
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According to Nnadi, officers of the command made the arrest and seizure while on routine patrol along the Abidjan – Lagos Corridor on April 21, at about 4:03pm.
Destined For Kaduna
“Upon search of the bus, seven large sacks containing 553 parcels of cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp, were discovered.
“Also, four male occupants of the vehicle, two civilians and two members of one of the sister security agencies conveying the contraband items were arrested.
“The contraband narcotics and the vehicle have been detained at the station at Seme pending further investigations.
“Also taken to the station are the four male suspects who have volunteered statements.
“However, the two members of one of the sister security agencies were handed over to their agency for further necessary action.
“Preliminary investigation following the questioning of the suspects revealed that the Indian hemp was destined for Kaduna State,” he said.
The Seme Area Controller, condemned the nefarious means of earning a living by some members of the society.
According to him these dealers have no consideration for the damaging effects of hard drugs,
In fact he says hard drugs contribute to crime in Nigeria.
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Furthermore, he urged members of the society who pass through the Seme corridor to take advantage of the trade facilitation effort of the Nigeria Customs Service and engage in legitimate business.
Furthermore, he charged all stakeholders, officers and men of the command and sister border agencies along the corridor to remain vigilant and alert during the Salah celebration as smugglers might wish to take advantage of the public holidays to engage in their reprehensible acts.
