Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT have arrested 20 foreign nationals for alleged trafficking of Marijuana worth over N120 million into the country.

The suspects, who were paraded at the base’s headquarters in Apapa yesterday, were said to have carried the substance in 268 bags concealed in two wooden boats that also had three drums of AGO each containing 200 litres and 11 phones.

They were said to have been intercepted by the country’s hydrographic survey vessel, NNS LANA around 6:48 p.m. on January 14.

Parading the suspects, Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Bashir Mohammed, said their arrest has brought to 81 the number of foreign nationals arrested for trafficking drugs, rice and petroleum products within four months.

He described as worrisome, the trend of foreigners smuggling drugs and other contrabands into Nigeria, recalling the seizure of 261 bags of Marijuana and 413 bags of rice during the Yuletide period.

The Commander also disclosed that operatives of the base arrested seven stowaways on board a vessel, MV CHESAPEAKE BAY at Tincan Island Jetty Apapa at the weekend.

“The arrested suspects revealed that they boarded the vessel through its rudder compartment with the intention to travel to Germany. This arrest puts the figure of stowaways arrested by NNS BEECROFT in the last four months at 21.

“The Cannabis and suspects connected to it will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while the stowaways will be handed over to the Nigeria Police.

“We call on all citizens to note that there are legitimate processes of leaving the country and all must strive to follow that legitimate process. Twenty-One people have been arrested for stowaway from various vessels over the last four months.

“The Navy will not relent in its effort to continue to rid the maritime domain of all criminal elements,” he said. (The Nation)