The Nigerian Navy’s Onitsha Outpost has handed over 19 bags of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and further action.

The substances were recovered during intelligence-led operations at Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State and formally handed over to the NDLEA Onitsha Unit on Tuesday.

According to the handover note obtained on Wednesday, the Commanding Officer of the Naval Outpost, Kabir Yusuf, said the recovery followed a routine patrol by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, Amiyi, in Atani Abo Community.

Yusuf said the patrol team spotted a vehicle suspected of transporting Cannabis Sativa and gave chase. The suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled.

He said a follow-up operation led security personnel to a warehouse allegedly used by the suspect to store illicit substances, where the 19 bags were recovered.

Yusuf said the operation demonstrated the vigilance and operational readiness of naval personnel in combating the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs within the command’s area of responsibility.

The Navy subsequently handed over the suspected cannabis to the NDLEA Onitsha Unit for further investigation and necessary action.

The naval command also requested the NDLEA to provide it with the outcome of its investigation when the process is completed.