The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, on Tuesday, announced the interception of a large wooden boat laden with 193 bags of cannabis sativa, weighing about 7,443 kilograms on Lagos waterways.
Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo who disclosed this while briefing newsmen, noted that the use of illicit drugs among teeming youth is currently threatening national security.
A statement by the Base Information Officer, Lieutenant Hussein Ibrahim also stated that the contrabands were intercepted by NNS BEECROFT patrol team through effective utilisation of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, Falcon Eye Alignment and Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre, as well as human intelligence.
“The NNS BEECROFT in furtherance of the ongoing operation WATER GUARD has intercepted a large wooden boat laden with a total of 193 bags of Cannabis sativa, weighing about 7,443 kilograms and a suspect, Mr Asamani Emmanuel along Badagry waterways.
“The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo while briefing newsmen disclosed that the contrabands were intercepted by NNS BEECROFT patrol team on Saturday through effective utilization of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, Falcon Eye Alignment and Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre as well as human intelligence,” Ibrahim stated.
Commodore Oladejo, the statement noted, explained that the effort was sequel to the Strategic Directive of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crime and criminality.
He further warned perpetrators of illicit drugs to desist from such acts, pledging that the Command will not rest on its oars to pursuing all criminal elements operating within its area of operation.
“This successful arrest of large quantity of narcotics underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to curtailing spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youth which negatively affect their health and threaten national security,” he said.
The Commander added that the arrested narcotics and the suspect were handed over to the officials of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command, on Tuesday 26 March, 2024 for further investigation and possible prosecution.
