The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has intercepted illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N3.95 billion, including more than 3.1 tonnes of cannabis sativa, during sustained anti-smuggling operations across the zone.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Unit’s headquarters in Lagos, during the formal handover of the seized items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Aliyu said the seizures were recorded along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the Unit’s area of responsibility.
Among the narcotics handed over to the NDLEA were 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic-strain cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9 kilogrammes.
Other seized substances included 3½ packs of ground cannabis (Skunk) weighing 3.45kg; two packs of granular cannabis weighing 1kg; 11 small packs of granular cannabis weighing 0.35kg; 49 wraps of cannabis (Skunk) weighing 26.1kg; 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream cigars; and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.
The Customs Service also intercepted significant quantities of pharmaceutical products, comprising 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox tablets of 1mg and 97 bottles of codeine syrup.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aliyu said the seizures demonstrated the NCS’s commitment to protecting national security and public health while strengthening collaboration with sister agencies.
He warned that the illicit movement of narcotics remained a serious threat to society, noting that drug trafficking fuels addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems, particularly among young Nigerians.
According to him, the transfer of the seized narcotics to the NDLEA would enable the agency to conduct further forensic examination, investigation and prosecution in line with its statutory mandate.
“The fight against narcotics trafficking, environmental crimes and other forms of smuggling is a collective responsibility,” Aliyu said.
138KG MERCURY SEIZED
In a related development, the FOU Zone ‘A’ also intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury, each weighing 34.5kg, bringing the total weight to 138kg.
The mercury, intercepted along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, was reportedly intended for use in small-scale illegal gold mining.
Aliyu explained that the chemical posed significant environmental risks and was subject to international controls under the Minamata Convention.
The four cylinders were consequently handed over to NESREA for further regulatory action.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by representatives of the NDLEA, NESREA, senior Customs officers, personnel and members of the media.
Aliyu further disclosed that three suspects arrested in connection with the narcotics seizures would be handed over to the NDLEA alongside the seized substances for further investigation.
He reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to intelligence-driven enforcement, enhanced surveillance and effective patrols aimed at disrupting the activities of smuggling syndicates and trans-border criminal networks.
The Comptroller also stressed that the NCS would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing the movement of prohibited, harmful and improperly regulated goods across Nigeria’s borders.
He commended the NDLEA, NESREA and other sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation, stressing that sustained intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement were essential to combating contemporary smuggling and environmental crimes.
The high point of the event was the physical transfer of the seized items, with the four canisters of high-grade mercury formally handed over to the NESREA representative, David Vonkur, while the narcotics and pharmaceutical products were transferred to the NDLEA for further action.
The development further highlights the growing inter-agency collaboration among Nigeria’s security and regulatory agencies in the fight against drug trafficking, smuggling and environmental offences.
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