The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, who additionally serves because the Maritime Element Commander, South-West, Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, yesterday handed over 1,306 luggage of smuggled international parboiled rice to the Nigerian Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Apapa.
The consignments have been intercepted by the Operation AWATSE staff on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Majidun Neighborhood in Ikorodu West Native Council of Lagos State.
Commodore Nimmyel instructed newsmen that the handover was in keeping with the harmonised normal procedures on arrest, detention, and prosecution.
He defined that some automobiles suspected to be concerned in smuggling actions had tried to evade safety at a checkpoint, prompting a swift pursuit by the Operation AWATSE Fast Response Staff (QRT), in accordance with the Joint Process Pressure’s Customary Working Procedures.
“The operation by the Maritime Element of Operation AWATSE was performed with commendable professionalism and restraint, as no casualties have been recorded.”
“The well timed response of the QRT and the profitable interception of the consignment reveal the continued dedication of the Maritime Element of Operation AWATSE to help statutory companies in curbing smuggling actions inside its Space of Operations,” he added.
