From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) in Kebbi State has handed over 371 seized parcels of Indian Hemp (cannabis) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and 1080 pieces of donkey skin to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), respectively, in the spirit of interagency agency collaboration.
The Customs Area Controller in the State, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, while handing over the seized items to the state commandants of the NDLEA and NAQS said the briefing is focused on the anti smuggling activities of the command in the State.
Oramalugo said among the contraband items are ”371 parcels of cannabis stativa, otherwise called Indian hemp intercepted at Kawara waterside, Suru local government area of the State, 98 packs of diazepam, 10 sacks of snuff, 1080 pieces of donkey skin, 37 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 300 litres of PMS,16 bales of second hand clothing and one used Toyota Corolla as means of conveyance, among others”.
He also said that “we continue to give smugglers of drugs and other harmful items a bloody nose; we unfortunately lost two of our fine and hard working officers in the line of duty. The event occurred on 24th August 2023 at about 0128hrs, when they were working based on intelligence of impending smuggling of drugs along Bunza-Koko road”.
He stated that the duty value of the seized items is N164,815,629 and the drug was valued N94,854,409.
The Area Comptroller commended the efforts of the Nigerian Press as well as the citizens, saying the success recorded so far by the command is as a result of the collaboration with the media and the general public.
Speaking while receiving the items, the state commandant of the NDLEA, Suleiman Usman, called on parents to equip themselves with sign of drug so as to detect if their children are addicted.
He commended Nigeria Custom Service for collaborating with NDLA to fight against illicit drug in country
