Nigeria Customs Seizes Illicit Goods Worth N3.951 Billion and Arrests Three Suspects

Nigeria Customs says it has seized illicit goods worth N3.951 billion in anti-smuggling operations conducted by its Federal Operations Unit, Zone A. The seizures included psychotropic substances and four high-grade mercury cylinders.

At a formal handover in Lagos, unit comptroller Gambo Aliyu said the operation addressed the movement of cannabis and other controlled substances, which he described as a threat to public health, national security and young people's future. He said such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems.

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The psychotropic substances being handed over today were intercepted and seized by the gallant officers and men of this unit during our sustained anti-smuggling operations along the border corridor, highways, and other strategic locations within our area of responsibility.

The seizures included 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic cannabis weighing 3,116.9 kilograms. Customs also listed ground cannabis, granular cannabis, Russian Cream Backwoods cigars, 49 wraps of cannabis weighing 26.1 kilograms and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35 kilograms.

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Our recent decisive enforcement action was deliberate against drugs trafficking syndicates in the Zone.

Other items included 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox tablets and 97 bottles of codeine syrup. Customs said these drugs would be handed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and action under its legal mandate.

Officers also seized four cylinders of mercury, each weighing 34.5 kilograms. Customs said the chemical is used in small-scale illegal gold mining, presents environmental hazards and is controlled under the Minamata Convention. The mercury will be handed to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency. Aliyu said Customs would continue sharing information and supporting investigations into smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

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We are equally committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigation whenever necessary.