Navy Troops Intercept Vessel Smuggling Cocaine from Brazil
The Nigeria Navy in collaboration with NDLEA, NCS and Interpol has tracked a vessel identified as MV CHAYANEE NAREE.
Emergency Digest gathered that the Vessel was attempting to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria
Shedding more light on the operation, Commodore Bashir Mohammed, Commander NNS BEECROFT, at a briefing on Thursday, said troops acted on credible intelligence to intercept the vessel.
“Acting on credible intelligence from Interpol, the Nigerian Navy, commenced tracking of a vessel, MV CHAYANEE NAREE, suspected of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria. Using the Nigerian Navy Falcon Eye Maritime Domain Awareness system, the Navy monitored the vessel and discovered that the vessel departed Santos Brazil on 19 Sep 21 and drifted for a week at a position about 250nm (approximately 500 kilometres) off the coast of Benin Republic from 1 to 8 Oct before setting sail and arriving Nigeria on 8 Oct 21.
“Upon entering Nigerian waters, the vessel was intercepted by Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU and escorted to NPA port where she was directed to berth on 9 Oct 2021 and taken custody by the Navy.
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“Thereafter, other agencies were invited to conduct an extensive and comprehensive search of the vessel for narcotics and other contraband items,” Bashir said.
He further explained that: “The suspected vessel was thoroughly searched by a combined team of Nigerian Navy, InterPol Nigeria, Nigerian Custom Service and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
“The Search began on 9 Oct 21 and at about 1800 hours (6pm) on 13 Oct 21, efforts of the search team was rewarded when a bag was found in the Vessel’s Cargo Compartment One. Tests conducted on the contents of the bag by the NDLEA confirmed the substance to be cocaine wrapped in 30 slabs weighing 32.9 kg.
“Accordingly, the substance was handed over to the NDLEA while further search and investigation have continued on every nook and cranny of the vessel.
“It is gratifying to point out that, the success of this particular operation is as a result of the excellent synergy and collaborative efforts between the NN, Interpol Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Accordingly, as we jointly continue this investigation and search of the Vessel, additional information will be released to the press on the case.”
