By Abigail Odubela
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has handed over seized illicit drugs and other controlled substances valued at N3.95 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The handover, which took place at the Unit’s headquarters in Lagos, followed sustained anti-smuggling operations by operatives of the FOU Zone A across border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures demonstrated the unit’s commitment to protecting national security, public health and the economic well-being of Nigerians.
According to Aliyu, the enforcement operations led to the interception of 5,669 parcels and 19 packs of synthetic strains of cannabis sativa, weighing approximately 3,116.9 kilogrammes.
Other cannabis-related seizures included 3.45kg of ground cannabis skunk, 1kg of granular cannabis skunk, 0.35kg of additional granular cannabis skunk, as well as 49 wraps of cannabis skunk weighing 26.1kg.
The unit also intercepted one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg, alongside 24 packs of Blackwood Russian Cream cigars.
The seized narcotics were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with its statutory mandate.
Also handed over were pharmaceutical products comprising 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of tramadol tablets, including 225mg and 100mg variants, as well as 1,200 Hypnox tablets and 97 bottles of codeine syrup.
Aliyu expressed concern over the illicit movement of narcotics and controlled substances, warning that drug trafficking poses significant threats to public health, national security and the future of young Nigerians.
He said such substances could fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems, stressing that the Customs Service would continue to work with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies to disrupt the supply chains of illicit drugs.
He further disclosed that operatives intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a hazardous chemical susceptible to diversion for use in artisanal gold mining.
The mercury, according to Aliyu, is regulated under the Minamata Convention on Mercury and would be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for appropriate investigative and regulatory action.
The Customs Controller put the combined approximate street value of the seized narcotics and mercury at N3,951,385,000, adding that three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures would also be handed over to the NDLEA.
Aliyu emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling smuggling and trans-border criminality, noting that no single security or regulatory agency could effectively confront the increasingly complex nature of the crimes alone.
He said continued collaboration through intelligence sharing, joint operations, intelligence fusion, coordinated profiling, capacity building and prompt transfer of seized items would strengthen the country’s enforcement architecture.
The Customs Service, he added, would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance and investigative operations to disrupt the activities of smugglers and criminal networks while facilitating legitimate trade.
More to read
Vokal Media turns 7, offers affordable premium services
Adeniyi tasks junior officers on integrity as Customs college graduates 50
IMION, ADUN join forces to power Nigeria’s blue economy