By RAJI RASAK

Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it has uncovered and intercepted Cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship MV San Anthonio.

CSC Isah Sulaiman, spokesman of the command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

According to Suleiman, the illicit 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.

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port command, lauded the discovery which he described as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) .

He said that the customs intelligence made the discovery upon her departure from Brazil the ship’s country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.

Oshoba reiterated the NCS’ 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 to the NDLEA for further action, the controller, therefore, announced the detention of the vessel 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.

” As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation.

“All consignments exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared,” he said.

He said the illicit drugs have been handed over to Mr Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command of NDLEA, who promised to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the people behind the illicit drugs. (NAN)