Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ Hands Over N511.4Millon Worth Of Illicit Drugs, Codeine To NDLEA, NAFDAC
Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase handing over seized illicit drugs to security agencies representatives in Ikeja, Lagos.
Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ Hands Over N511.4Millon Worth Of Illicit Drugs, Codeine To NDLEA, NAFDAC
By Success Okezie
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has intensified the war against drug trafficking and smuggling of unwholesome pharmaceutical products with the handover of illicit drugs and codeine syrup valued at N511.4 million to sister agencies.
The seized items, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N511,400,000, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The formal handover ceremony took place on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the headquarters of the Unit on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, the Unit disclosed that the illicit drugs comprised 121 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 65.9kg, 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 400 grams of cocaine, 900 grams of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis, and 86 packs of polythene bags used to conceal the drugs. In addition, 57 cartons of assorted brands of codeine syrup were also seized.
Two vehicles – a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna – used to convey the contraband, as well as two male suspects arrested in connection with the seizures, were also handed over to the relevant agencies.
Speaking during the handover, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, FOU Zone ‘A’, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Comptroller, said the seizures were the result of sustained, intelligence-driven operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic flashpoints within the Unit’s area of responsibility.
Oguntuase revealed that at about 1300hrs on Saturday, October 10, 2026, operatives of the Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus laden with suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, around Ore in Ondo State. He added that subsequent laboratory analysis by NDLEA officials confirmed the substances to be illicit drugs.
In a related operation on October 7, 2026, officers of the Unit intercepted another vehicle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Upon thorough examination, 57 cartons of codeine syrup were discovered concealed in the vehicle.
According to him, the handover exercise is in line with the Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration and its statutory mandate of protecting the nation’s borders and safeguarding public health.
“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 stated.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji, who received the exhibits on behalf of the Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, commended the Customs Service, particularly FOU Zone ‘A’, for its unwavering commitment to inter-agency synergy. He assured that the Agency would handle the exhibits and suspects in accordance with the law and sustain the fight against illicit drugs.
Similarly, Mrs. Edith, Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, who received the codeine syrup on behalf of the Director of Enforcement, NAFDAC, lauded the Unit for the remarkable interception. She assured of NAFDAC’s continued collaboration with the Customs Service in combating the menace of illicit, fake and substandard pharmaceutical products in the country.
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