The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested and handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) one hundred and six (106) parcels of illicit substances suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp).
The suspected cannabis concealed in a Toyota SEQUOIA vehicle with Lagos State registration No. EKY 407 CA was arrested at Gbaji Customs’ checkpoint along the busy Lagos – Badagry express way on the 17th June, 2016 at about 1630hrs.
A release signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Selechang Taupyen stated that the arrest was made possible through intelligence gathering by the seizing officers led by Assistant Comptroller Abubakar Hamza who trailed the suspect from the neighboring country (Benin Republic) to the point of entry and arrest.
The suspect, Mr. Sylvester Gbenga and the 106 parcels of the suspected cannabis was handed over to the Commander NDLEA Seme Badagry who was represented by the PSO Admin/Logistic of NDLEA Seme, Musa .I. Khalil on the 22nd June, 2016 by 1530Hrs at Seme Border Command.
Commenting on the arrest, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Sabo, H.A disclosed that attempt by the suspect to bribe officers on duty with the sum of forty seven thousand, five hundred naira (N47, 500.00) in order to compromise his arrest was resisted.
He said that on examining the suspect and the means of conveyance, it revealed that the suspect was in possession of four International passports belonging to four different people, three handsets, one ipad, the sum of one hundred and ninety nine thousand, five hundred naira (N199, 500.00) and Seventy two thousand CFA (CFA 72,000).
Handing over the suspects to the officials of the NDLEA, the Ag Customs Area Controller, DC Sabo, H.A said that the handing over showcased the synergy that existed between Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant sisters agencies at the International Border.
The handing over of the 106 parcels of suspected India Hemp weighing 48.9kg with a value of four million, four hundred and fifty-two thousand naira ( N4,452,000.00) was witnessed by the Officer in-Charge of Legal Seat, CSC Ali-Sheriff and the Customs Public Relation Officer ,SC Taupyen , S.K.
The representative of the NDLEA Commander acknowledged the receipt of the suspect; the drugs and the original case file for further investigation and possible prosecution.
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