The Nigerian Navy has transferred 19 bags of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for investigation and further action in Anambra State.
The seized consignments were formally handed over to the NDLEA Onitsha Unit on Tuesday after they were recovered during operations in Atani Community, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
According to the handover note obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost, Onitsha, Kabir Yusuf, said the substances were intercepted during separate intelligence-led operations within the command’s area of responsibility.
Yusuf explained that personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Amiyi, discovered the illicit consignment while carrying out routine patrols around Atani Abo Community.
He said, “The suspected illicit substances were recovered during a routine patrol by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, Amiyi, at Atani Abo Community.
“The patrol team sighted a vehicle suspected to be conveying Cannabis Sativa and immediately gave it a chase, where the suspect was said to have abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
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“A follow-up operation subsequently led security operatives to a warehouse allegedly used by the suspect for storing illicit substances, where a thorough search resulted in the recovery of 19 bags of suspected Cannabis Sativa.”
The Naval commander said the operation demonstrated the vigilance, professionalism and preparedness of personnel attached to the Naval Outpost, Onitsha, in tackling the circulation of hard substances and maintaining order in the society.
Following the recovery, the naval command formally transferred the suspected cannabis to the NDLEA Onitsha Unit for further investigation and necessary action.
The command also requested that the NDLEA communicate the outcome of its investigation to the naval base after concluding the process.