The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted illicit drugs and pharmaceutical items valued at N511.4 million, while also arresting two male suspects during separate operations on the Lagos-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan expressways.
The seizures included 65.9kg of cannabis, 400g of cocaine, 100g of crystal methamphetamine, 900g of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.
Two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna, were also intercepted during the operations.
The suspects, vehicles and exhibits were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Speaking during the handover at the unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, said the seizures resulted from intelligence-driven operations.
Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, said officers intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus conveying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, around Ore, Ondo State, at about 1pm on October 10, 2026.
He added that a separate operation on October 7 led to the interception of another vehicle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where officers discovered 57 cartons of assorted codeine syrup.
He said the operations underscored the service’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and the smuggling of controlled pharmaceutical products.
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 assured that the agency would handle the exhibits and suspects in accordance with the law.
Similarly, NAFDAC Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, Mrs Edith, who received the codeine syrup on behalf of the agency’s Director of Enforcement, pledged continued collaboration with Customs to combat illicit and substandard pharmaceutical products.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to curbing smuggling, protecting public health and facilitating legitimate trade.
What You Should Know
The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a major haul of smuggled illicit drugs and controlled pharmaceuticals, including cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, and codeine syrup, worth over N511 million during intelligence-driven operations on key highways. The suspects and seized items have been handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and legal action.
- Positive Impact: Removing these dangerous substances from circulation helps protect public health, curbs youth drug abuse, and strengthens national security by disrupting criminal supply chains.
- Potential Concerns: The continuous interception of multi-million naira drug shipments highlights the persistent threat of illicit drug trafficking along major transit routes, posing ongoing challenges for law enforcement agencies.
