The Nigeria Customs Service has transferred seized illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N511.4 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and legal action. The items were handed over by the Federal Operations Unit Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, October 16, following separate operations along major highways in the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the handover was carried out in line with the legal responsibilities of the two receiving agencies. The seized substances included 121 parcels of cannabis weighing 65.9 kilogrammes, 100 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, 400 grammes of cocaine, 900 grammes of ground synthetic cannabis and 4.3 kilogrammes of hybrid cannabis. Customs officials also recovered 86 packs of polythene bags used to conceal the drugs and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.
Two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna, as well as two male suspects linked to the interceptions, were also transferred to the relevant agencies. Speaking during the handover, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, said the seizures followed intelligence led operations targeting smuggling routes, border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
Oguntuase represented the Acting Comptroller of the unit, Oladapo Afeni, during the exercise. He explained that on October 10, a patrol team acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus carrying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos to Benin Expressway near Ore, Ondo State. Further examination and laboratory analysis by NDLEA officials confirmed the substances as illicit drugs.
In a separate operation on October 7, Customs officers intercepted another vehicle along the Lagos to Ibadan Expressway. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 57 cartons of different brands of codeine syrup. Oguntuase said the seizures reflected the agency’s efforts to prevent drug trafficking, stop the smuggling of controlled substances and protect Nigerians from unsafe pharmaceutical products.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its mandate to protect the nation’s borders, safeguard public health and support national security. These seizures and the subsequent handover demonstrate the importance of cooperation among security and regulatory agencies in denying criminal elements the space to operate,” he said.
Receiving the exhibits on behalf of the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji, commended Customs for its cooperation and commitment to tackling drug trafficking. Bolaji said the agency would handle the exhibits and suspects in accordance with the law while continuing its efforts to combat the distribution of illicit drugs. A representative of NAFDAC also praised the Customs unit for the interceptions and promised continued cooperation in the fight against fake, substandard and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The operation highlights the role of cooperation among security and regulatory agencies in tackling the movement of illegal drugs. The agencies are expected to continue their investigations and take appropriate legal action against those linked to the seizures.
