The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have arrested a 71-year-old man with 6.4kg of cocaine and Methamphetamine valued at N2.35 billion along the Lagos- Abidjan corridor.
The unit also intercepted 3,340 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian loud,” weighing 1,540kg, alongside 15 trailer loads of smuggled rice and other contraband items as part of intensified operations against smuggling and economic sabotage across the South-West. Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ikeja while showcasing the seized items to journalists during a briefing on the unit’s recent operations. Aliyu said the arrests and seizures were part of ongoing efforts to combat economic saboteurs and safeguard Nigeria’s borders, noting that the unit remained resolute in enforcing federal government fiscal policies and provisions of the NCS Act 2023. According to him, within eight weeks, the unit thwarted 473 smuggling attempts through enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration.
Items seized during the period include 8,794 bags of 50kg foreign rice equivalent to 15 trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, and 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Other seizures comprise 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 24 bags of foreign sugar, five cartons of St. Louis products, and 531 cartons of foreign poultry products. Speaking on drug-related operations, the controller said the unit launched a special operation code-named “Operation Hawk” to disrupt trafficking networks.
“This is aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue and protecting our society and environment from incidences of crime, criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability.
Against this backdrop, the unit successfully took out 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1540kg from the society.
“This effort is an affirmation of our commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone.
Our analysis of the trend in recent times, indicate that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain completely. “In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering, I have also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results, ” he said. Continuing, he said, “In a separate operation, officers and men of the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs of Thursday 30th April 2026, intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander driven by one Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71year old male Nigerian citizen suspected to convey a Narcotics substance. “Further examination of the vehicle revealed 6 parcels of cocaine substance, with 2 parcels of the powdered substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and 4 parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totalling 6.4kg of the illicit substance. The consignment was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and has a street value of approximately N2.35b.
The numerous seizures occurred across borders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. Several defendants were arrested in connection with these operations.” The seized narcotics and other illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
In another development, the controller said the unit seized four cylinders of high-grade mercury concealed in a Toyota Avensis, noting that the substance is a controlled chemical under international environmental regulations and poses serious hazards. Aliyu said the suspect linked to the mercury seizure had been granted administrative bail pending further investigation, adding that the items would be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
On revenue generation, he disclosed that the unit recorded a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5.5 billion from seizures within the review period, alongside recovery of N97.7 million through demand notices issued on under-declared consignments.
He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to leveraging technology, including geospatial intelligence, drone surveillance, and real-time tracking systems, to strengthen border security and enhance operational efficiency.
Aliyu added that the unit would soon commence a phased relocation to its newly commissioned headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State, describing it as a strategic move to boost performance and inter-agency collaboration.
He reiterated the unit’s resolve to sustain the fight against smuggling while supporting legitimate trade and protecting the nation’s economy.
