Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye is the Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command in Lagos. Last week, he had a press briefing during which some seized drugs and cannabis sativa were handed over to NAFDAC and NDLEA respectively. Joshua Yousouph was there, and he puts together highlights of the media interaction.
Can you provide an overview of the recent operations conducted by the Western Marine Command?
The purpose of this briefing is to update the media and the general public on our latest achievements in combating smuggling and illicit trade. This is to showcase how far we have been able to puncture the evils of smuggling and illicit trade of cannabis sativa and marijuana along our coastal waters, which is in line with the Comptroller General of Customs policy trust. To begin, I am pleased to announce that the Command under my watch has received approval to hand over a total of 1,658 loops of cannabis sativa weighing 788 kilogrammes, arrested during three separate operations. These operations took place at Ijegun waterside, Bar Beach, and Ekare beach front in the month of November, 2024. That was about a week ago. In addition, I have good news today that we have three suspects that were arrested in connection with these seizures.
These efforts align with the enforcement of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and represent a significant stride in curbing smuggling activities along our waterways. The cannabis sativa, along with the suspects, will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today, for further investigation and prosecution. Suffice to say that we have made our preliminary or interim investigations too. So, we are now handing them over to the regulatory authority, that is the NDLEA.
Beyond cannabis, what other items have been intercepted during these operations?
In a related development, on November 21, 2024, we intercepted 295 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice and 7 bags of 50 kg refined granulated sugar at the “Point of No Return” in Badagry and the Pako Waterfront. Additionally, we confiscated 306 bottles of 300 ml codeine syrup along the Yekeme-Yoforo waterways. These will be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) today, in line with the CGC conference’s recent directives. Furthermore, the Command intercepted 900 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS), which has been disposed of in accordance with extant laws. These are combustible items, so we don’t need to keep them in our premises. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seized items stands at ₦182,196,000.
Were there any injuries sustained during this operation?
Let me start by saying that, to the glory of God, no injuries were sustained by any of our officers and even the leader of the team is here with us. These are professionals. They are marine officers, as their name implies. Although one of the smugglers, in an attempt to escape, sustained just a minor injury and I tell you that we are taking very good care of them. By the grace of God, we are handing them over to NDLEA before we leave this place. To me, this is a huge success. Like I said earlier, gone are the days when smugglers dive into the water and escape. I don’t want to hear that story, because we need them apprehended. If the foundation is faulty, then what can the righteous say? So we need to go into these people so that we can stop this menace.
What are your plans for enhancing operational efficiency in the fight against smuggling?
Our operations focus on the waterways and creeks. We also have other officers working on land-based operations. Recently, we made a request to our CGC, who has graciously approved the purchase of four sea-going vessels. When I say sea-going, I don’t mean these small fibre boats. We only need all these on our inland waterways. These sea-going vessels are built in a way that you can go to the high seas without capsizing. We thank God for that and very soon, we will take the delivery of these sea-going crafts.
The CGC has graciously approved the purchase of four sea-going vessels for us
How does the command handle environmental challenges; like keeping the slipways clean?
You may notice that the area is a bit dirty. But frankly speaking, we are doing our best. But what happens is that when the sea is in its high volume, you will notice all this debris won’t be here. But the moment the water level goes down, you see debris from all over coming to this place to settle. But we are making an effort to see that this place is kept tidy and neat. We have people who clean the premises regularly. We are also addressing environmental challenges, such as maintaining clean slipways, and collaborating with communities to improve intelligence gathering. The government’s support and the ongoing synergy with other agencies will help us achieve even greater success.
How would you describe the collaboration between your Command and other agencies like NDLEA and NAFDAC?
Collaboration with sister agencies is not new; it is a long-standing synergy built on mutual understanding and cooperation. NDLEA, for instance was formed from a department of Customs, so in a way, they are like our children. To make room for efficiency and expansion, the government thought it wise to create the NDLEA so that we can have full control of drugs control. From there, we handed over one of our departments to NDLEA and it has been very successful. We see from the television and from social media, how they have been doing very well. So, like I said, we are just building on this synergy, collaboration, and the cooperation which has been there. This synergy has allowed us to seamlessly assist each other in fulfilling our respective mandates. Today’s handover of seized items to NDLEA and NAFDAC further exemplifies this collaboration. While NDLEA focuses primarily on drug-related offences, Customs tackles smuggling in all forms, and NAFDAC ensures regulatory compliance. This cooperation ensures efficiency and effectiveness in protecting our nation’s health and economy.
Each agency understands its role, and there’s no room for conflicts.
The Navy is known to protect the high seas and rid it from all forms of maritime crimes. Does your command collaborate with the Navy too?
Collaboration is key. The Navy protects our national territorial integrity, Customs tackles smuggling, and NDLEA focuses on drugs. We cooperate and synergize seamlessly. For instance, today we’re handing over the suspects and intercepted contraband to NDLEA and NAFDAC because that is their purview. Each agency understands its role, and there’s no room for conflicts. So, we only assist them and there is no room for any problem between us, because we understand ourselves.
Do you have enough capacity in terms of officers to tackle this menace?
To a large extent, I have trust in my officers. They are doing very well. You can see that it is due to their efforts that we have been able to make this kind of seizures. Having said that, amongst 12 disciples, there might be one Judas. Then again, you can only trust a child that is in the womb. The one on the mother’s back can pluck a mango fruit from the tree.
You mentioned the economic impact of smuggling. Can you elaborate on this?
Smuggling is injurious to our economy and poses a severe threat to our health when it involves hard drugs. These illegal activities undermine trade restrictions and fiscal policies designed to promote economic growth. Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the Western Marine Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to undermine the government’s trade restrictions and fiscal policies. The inordinate threats by citizens to get rich by any means flare the menace of smuggling. Citizens must understand that smuggling is injurious to our economy and smuggling of hard drugs has even more devastating effects on our health and economy. The Command under my watch is poised more than ever, to rid our waterways of all acts of smuggling and economic sabotage for the benefit of the growth of the economy of Nigeria.
