Listen to story here
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has intercepted narcotics and pharmaceutical products with a combined street value of N3.95 billion and handed them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The seizures, comprising thousands of parcels of cannabis, crystal methamphetamine, Tramadol, Hypnox tablets and Codeine syrup, were formally transferred to the NDLEA on Thursday at the FOU Zone ‘A’ headquarters, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
Comptroller of the unit, Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures were the outcome of sustained intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
According to him, Customs intercepted 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of Cannabis Sativa weighing 3,116.9kg, alongside other cannabis products and one wrap of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.
Other narcotics seized included 49 wraps of Cannabis (Skunk) weighing 26.1kg, 3½ packs of ground Cannabis (Skunk) weighing 3.45kg, two packs of granulated Cannabis weighing 1kg and 11 small packs weighing 0.35kg.
The unit also seized 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream Cigars, while pharmaceutical products handed over to the NDLEA included 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg Tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox tablets and 97 bottles of Codeine syrup.
Aliyu said three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures would also be handed over to the NDLEA alongside the narcotic substances.
He described the illicit movement of controlled substances as a major threat to public health, national security and the future of young Nigerians, warning that drug trafficking fuels addiction, criminality and violence.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, through strengthening the integrity of the supply chain, would continue to support the efforts of the NDLEA by disrupting the movement of narcotic drugs and illicit goods across Nigeria’s borders,” he said.
The Customs boss also disclosed the interception of four cylinders of high-grade mercury, each weighing 34.5kg, which he said was used in small-scale illegal gold mining.
He explained that the chemical, which has significant environmental hazards, is controlled under the Minamata Convention and would be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for appropriate action.
Aliyu stressed that effective enforcement against smuggling and trans-border crime required stronger inter-agency collaboration through intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement.
He assured that FOU Zone ‘A’ would sustain surveillance, patrols and intelligence-led operations while facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the movement of prohibited and harmful goods.
The handover, he said, demonstrated the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, public health, environmental safety and national security.
