Skip to main content

Customs FOU ‘A’ Hands Over ₦511.4m Worth of Seized Pharmaceuticals, Illicit Drugs to Relevant Authorities

By Anne Ejuka


The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has handed over seized pharmaceutical products and illicit drugs with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦511,400,000 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate legal action. 


The handover, which took place at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja on Friday 16th October, 2026, is in line with the respective statutory mandates of the receiving agencies.



According to a statement issued by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi said. The seized items comprised 121 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 65.9kg; 100g of crystal methamphetamine; 400g of cocaine; 900g of ground synthetic cannabis; 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis; 86 packs of polythene bags used to conceal the illicit drugs; and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.



The vehicles—a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna—and two male suspects, one in connection with each interception, were also handed over. 


Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’,  Deputy Comptroller Afeni said the seizures resulted from sustained intelligence-driven operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the Unit’s area of responsibility. 



He explained that at approximately 1300hrs on Saturday, 10 October 2026, a patrol team acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus conveying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos–Benin Expressway, around Ore in Ondo State. Subsequent examination and analysis by NDLEA officials confirmed the substances.


Also, in a separate operation at approximately 1407hrs on 7 October 2026, officers intercepted another vehicle along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Examination of the vehicle revealed 57 cartons of assorted brands of codeine syrup.



Oguntuase stated that the handover underscored the Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration in combating drug trafficking, the smuggling of controlled substances and the circulation of unwholesome pharmaceutical products. “The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its mandate to protect the nation’s borders, safeguard public health and support national security. 


These seizures and the subsequent handover demonstrate the importance of cooperation among security and regulatory agencies in denying criminal elements the space to operate,” he said. 


Receiving the illicit drug exhibits, a suspect and a vehicle on behalf of the Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji commended the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly FOU Zone ‘A’, for its commitment to inter-agency cooperation. 



He assured that the agency would handle the transferred exhibits and suspect in accordance with the law, while sustaining efforts to rid society of illicit drugs. 


Similarly, Mrs Edith, Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, who received the seized codeine syrup on behalf of NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement, applauded the Unit for the interception and assured it of sustained collaboration in combating illicit and substandard pharmaceutical products.


The unit reaffirmed it’s comittment to fighting against economic saboteurs, including illicit drugs trafficking and controlled pharmaceuticals while facilitating legitimate businesses. 







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Extortion, Harassment by Maritime Police at Lagos Ports

By Anne Ejuka
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged unlawful conduct, extortion, intimidation, harassment and obstruction of trade by officers of the Maritime Police Command operating around Nigerian seaports. The petition, dated August 14, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at Force Headquarters, Abuja, specifically identified the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa; Tin-Can Island Port and other designated port locations, including bonded terminals, as areas where the alleged misconduct is taking place. In the petition, which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team, NAGAFF described the situation as a growing impediment to trade facilitation and a factor contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria. According to the association, freight forwarding practitioners have, over a sustained period, repo...
Post a Comment
Read more

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

NCS Seizes 13 Containers of Unwholesome Imports

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has intercepted 13 containers with over 7.6 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones and large quantities of expired consumer and pharmaceutical products. The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Apapa Area Command in the presence of the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba and heads of other sister agencies earlier today, 10th September, 2026,  according to CGC, the seized consignments have a combined duty-paid value of ₦43.59 billion. He said the seizures were made as a result of sustained intelligence-led operations supported by enhanced cargo profiling, risk assessment, documentary scrutiny and targeted physical examination. "The containers behind me are not an isolated event and they should not be reported as one;  the Service’s mandate extends beyond revenue c...
Post a Comment
Read more