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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has seized illicit drugs including tramadol and codeine syrup valued at over N1.056 billion along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State.
According to him, operatives intercepted a truck conveying more than 1,025,000 tablets of Tramadol and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup (100ml each), which were carefully concealed among legitimate goods in a bid to beat security checks.
Balogun explained that the driver of the vehicle attempted to evade arrest but eventually abandoned the truck and fled into a nearby bush after being flagged down by Customs officers.
He noted that the seized consignment has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,056,000,000, underscoring the scale and sophistication of the smuggling attempt.
The Comptroller emphasized that the operation reflects the Service’s intensified crackdown on the trafficking of prohibited and controlled substances, particularly Tramadol and Codeine, which have been linked to rising cases of drug abuse and criminal activities across the country.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal trade, stressing that the NCS remains resolute in deploying intelligence-driven strategies to protect public health and national security.
The seized drugs are currently in Customs custody, while investigations are ongoing to track down and prosecute those behind the failed smuggling operation.
