Nigerian Navy Seizes 756kg of Cannabis and Arrests Suspects on Lagos Waters
The Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT (NNS BEECROFT) has announced the interception of 28 bags of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 756 kilograms, in Lagos State. The operation, carried out on Tuesday, also resulted in the interception of a large wooden boat carrying illegal goods.
Commodore Paul Nimmyel, the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, revealed that the drugs were seized near Long Jetty, Ibeche Beach, Lagos. He further disclosed that the wooden boat, intercepted on February 10, 2025, contained 408 empty drums, three pumping machines, and eight Yamaha 40HP outboard engines. This interception, which occurred after the boat attempted to flee towards Benin Republic, involved seven suspects who were apprehended.
Additionally, on the same day, the NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team (QRT) acted on credible intelligence about smuggling operations and arrested two suspects around Topo, Badagry. The suspects were found with a Yamaha outboard engine and an intercepted phone conversation confirmed they had been hired to supply it to smugglers.
On the morning of February 11, 2025, the Navy intercepted the 28 bags of cannabis, but the suspects fled upon seeing the QRT. The drugs were seized and, while no arrests were made in this specific case, efforts to track the perpetrators continue.
Commodore Nimmyel emphasized that all arrested suspects and confiscated items have been handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution. He reiterated the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to combat illegal activities in the maritime region, especially illegal oil bunkering and drug trafficking, warning criminals that the Navy will continue its efforts to ensure security in the area.
NNS BEECROFT’s operations underscore the resolve to enforce national security mandates and contribute to the fight against maritime crime in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
