The Nigerian Navy has handed over 19 bags of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State.
The seized substances were recovered during intelligence-led operations and routine patrols at Atani Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The Naval Outpost, Onitsha Command, handed over the suspected illicit drugs to the NDLEA Onitsha Unit on Tuesday for further investigation and necessary action.
Commanding Officer of the Naval Outpost, Onitsha, Kabir Yusuf, said personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Amiyi, at Atani Abo Community, recovered the substances during separate operations within the command’s area of responsibility.
Yusuf explained that naval personnel first sighted a vehicle suspected to be conveying Cannabis Sativa during a routine patrol and immediately gave chase.
However, the suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled.
A follow-up operation later led security operatives to a warehouse allegedly used by the suspect to store illicit substances.
A search of the facility resulted in the recovery of 19 bags of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.
“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.
“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,” Yusuf said.
The commanding officer said the operation demonstrated the vigilance and operational readiness of the Naval Outpost, Onitsha, in tackling the movement of illicit substances within its operational area.
He said the recovered substances were formally handed over to the NDLEA for investigation, while the agency was also requested to provide the Navy with the outcome of its findings upon conclusion of the case.
