The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has intercepted 53 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 1,958kg, with a duty-paid value of N398 million, in Lagos.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Lomba Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, February 21.

According to the Customs Area Controller, Paul Bamisaiye, the interception took place at Ilase Sea Beach, about 200 nautical miles from the Lagos Anchorage.

He noted that the smugglers, upon sighting the officers, attempted to escape by jumping into the sea, abandoning their boat in the process.

“The boat was quickly secured and brought to the office, where it was found to contain 3,793 loaves of cannabis sativa, packed into 53 sacks, weighing 1,958kg. The duty-paid value of the seizure is N398 million,” Bamisaiye stated.

He described the seizure, which occurred on Thursday, February 20, at about 11 pm, as the highest single operational interception of cannabis sativa under his administration.

Bamisaiye further revealed that two months ago, the command had intercepted 15 sacks of cannabis sativa containing 1,021 loaves, weighing 538kg and valued at N107 million.

In line with standard procedures, the confiscated drugs will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

The Customs chief reiterated the service’s commitment to curbing smuggling and ensuring Nigeria’s waterways remain free of illicit activities.