The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted 72 bags of cannabis sativa in the Elegushi area of Lekki, Lagos State.

The commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, in a statement signed on Tuesday by the base information officer, Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, said the contrabands were intercepted on June 5.

Mr Oladejo said the interception of the bags of cannabis, each weighing 40 kilogrammes, was in furtherance of the navy’s ongoing Operation Water Guard.

He further said the interception was made possible by the NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team and Deep Blue Assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

“This interception underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to curtailing the spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youth, which negatively affects their health and threatens national security.

“Perpetrators of illicit drugs should desist from such acts as NNS BEECROFT will not rest on its oars to pursuing all criminal elements operating within its area of operation,” the commander said.

Mr Oladejo said the effort was a sequel to the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla that personnel should maintain a credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks.

“This will help to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crime and criminality.

“The intercepted cannabis sativa has been handed over to the officials of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command for further investigation,” he said.

(NAN)