By Desire Emmanuel
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Saturday said it uncovered cocaine weighing 25.5 kilogrammes inside a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio, when it docked at the Apapa Port.
Isah Sulaiman, spokesman of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos State.
According to him, the hard drugs were packaged in 24 parcels and hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence led checks which resulted in the detention of the ship.
Mr Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port command, lauded the discovery which he described as a fallout of the synergy between the customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
He said that the customs intelligence made the discovery upon the ship’s departure from Brazil, its country of origin, as its captain and crew had earlier called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.
Oshoba reiterated the customs resolve in ensuring only legitimate trade thrives in the port of Apapa in Lagos, following a zero compromise directive by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
While handing over the seized drugs and the ship’s captain and crew to the NDLEA for further action, the controller, announced the detention of the ship that came into Nigeria with the cocaine.
“What has happened today is the outcome of profiling and intelligence led operations by the NCS and NDLEA.
“Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.
“This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system.
“Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here,” he said.
