Nigerian Navy personnel have uncovered 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa at an illegal refining site in Rivers State.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday.
Captain Folorunsho said the operation was carried out on September 17 by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SOROH, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence on the location at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
He said the crude oil was found in five dugout pits, while 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, were recovered in six sacks.
According to him, the naval team also found 25 parcels of suspected cannabis at the same site, located along the East-West Road axis covering Obia/Akpor and Ahoada West.
No suspect was arrested as those operating the site fled when they sighted the naval personnel.
Pictures released by the Navy spokesman showed the crude-filled pits, sacks containing the suspected AGO and the recovered parcels of suspected cannabis.
The Navy said the recovered products and suspected illicit substances were handled in line with extant regulations.
The latest operation comes days after nine suspected crude oil thieves were convicted by the Federal High Court in Uyo following their arrest during a Navy-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The Navy said the two developments underline its continued operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining, with its efforts extending from the discovery of illegal sites and recovery of products to the prosecution of suspects.
