The Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit drugs valued at approximately ₦690 million, following the seizure of two vehicles used in smuggling the substances into the state.
Controller of the Command, Idriss Abba-Aji, disclosed this during a press briefing in Katsina on Tuesday. He explained that within a two-week operation, operatives confiscated 14 cartons of Tramadol worth ₦650 million, Fragbaline capsules valued at ₦28 million, and cannabis sativa estimated at ₦15 million.
According to him, smugglers often disguise their vehicles to evade detection. “These vehicles are cleverly presented to look as though they are conveying dignitaries. People must understand that our stop-and-search checks are necessary because traffickers will never use open trucks. Instead, they conceal drugs in ordinary-looking vehicles,” Abba-Aji stated.
He noted that the seizures were made at different border points, preventing the substances from being distributed across Katsina and neighbouring states. Describing the operation as the largest seizure of its kind in the command’s history, Abba-Aji linked drug trafficking to the rising wave of banditry and insecurity in the region.
“To curb this menace, we have intensified enforcement operations across our borders,” he said.
One suspect was arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt but was later released on administrative bail.
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