The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recovered cocaine valued at N2.35 billion from a 71-year-old suspect along a major smuggling route.
The seizure was disclosed on Tuesday in Lagos by Comptroller Gambo Aliyu during the handover of the illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The interception occurred along the Lagos-Abidjan connection, also known as the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, a major economic and infrastructure link connecting five West African countries—Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
What they are saying
According to Aliyu, officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying 6.35kg of cocaine and arrested a 71-year-old Nigerian in connection with the seizure.
He added that the illicit drug was subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu further noted that the unit is strengthening its operations through digital surveillance tools, including geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drones, and predictive analytics, to better track and disrupt smuggling routes.
More insights
The N2.35 billion worth of cocaine was not the only seizure recorded by the agency, as it also intercepted a range of illicit drugs and contraband goods within the same period.
- Among these were 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,540kg under ‘Operation Hawk,’ as well as other prohibited items such as explosives, petrol, and ‘Ghana Loud,’ with total seizures valued at over N5.5 billion.
- In addition, customs operatives intercepted four cylinders of mercury, each weighing 80kg, a hazardous substance regulated under the Minamata Convention, which is to be handed over to the appropriate environmental authorities.
The operations, carried out across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, led to the foiling of 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks and the recovery of N97.7 million from underpaid duties.
Commending the efforts of the customs operatives, NDLEA Commander Ibrahim Kabiru praised their professionalism and collaboration, stating:
- “I formally received two parcels of suspected cocaine weighing 2.30kg, four parcels of crack cocaine weighing 4.05kg, 3,340 cannabis parcels and three suspects.”
What you should know
Seizures of contraband goods and illicit drugs are becoming increasingly frequent, as reports by Nairametrics indicate a growing scale of enforcement activities across Nigeria.
- In March, it was reported that the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 13 containers of expired drugs, food items, and restricted security equipment worth N6.38 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.
- Later that same month, the command seized 3,398 cartons of codeine syrup valued at N3.39 billion at the same port.
- In February, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ also recorded the seizure of synthetic cannabis and other contraband worth N3.3 billion in Lagos.
When considering that the Nigeria Customs Service is not the only enforcement agency, the scale becomes even more concerning.
Just last week, operatives of the NDLEA raided three illicit drug warehouses in Lagos, recovering opioids valued at N16.9 billion. Although these seizures were successful and commendable, they also highlight the scale and point to the growing prevalence of the crime.
