The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has confiscated illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N511.4 million and apprehended two male suspects in separate operations along the Lagos-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan expressways.
The seized items comprised 65.9kg of cannabis, 400g of cocaine, 100g of crystal methamphetamine, 900g of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.
Two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna, were also seized during the operations.
The suspects, vehicles and recovered items were transferred 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.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, said the seizures were achieved through intelligence-led operations.
Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, said officers intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus transporting suspected illicit drugs hidden in polythene bags along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, near Ore, Ondo State, at about 1pm on October 10, 2026.
He disclosed that another operation conducted on October 7 resulted in the interception of a vehicle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where officers found 57 cartons of assorted codeine syrup.
He noted that the operations demonstrated the service’s determination to tackle drug trafficking and the smuggling of controlled pharmaceutical products.
Receiving the exhibits on behalf of the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji, praised Customs for its cooperation and assured that the agency would process the exhibits and suspects in line with the law.
Similarly, NAFDAC Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, Mrs Edith, who accepted the codeine syrup on behalf of the agency’s Director of Enforcement, promised sustained cooperation with Customs to tackle illicit and substandard pharmaceutical products.
The Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to fighting smuggling, safeguarding public health and supporting legitimate trade.
