By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Ogun 1 Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko on Tuesday handed over 1,625 parcels of cannabis sativa to Ogun State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The contraband, which consisted of 780 units of neatly wrapped coconut-sized parcels; 225 units of book-sized and 160 bread-sized parcels, was taken over by the Narcotic Commander in charge of NDLEA Idiroko Special Area Command, Adeyeye Olusegun.

The anti-smuggling operatives of the NCS also confiscated 2,002 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg; 6,180 units of cutlasses; 6,375 litres of petroleum products; all under 27 days in 2025.

Speaking during the handing over held at the NCS’ Centery Quarters, Idiroko, the Area Controller for Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu said, the contraband was intercepted across various the cross border routes under the command through intelligence-driven operations and total dedication of the operatives.

Speaking on the year 2024 scorecard of the command, Shuaibu explained that other contrabands confiscated within the period under review included a total of 16,712 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, alongside 139,881 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly referred to as petroleum.

Giving the breakdown of the seizures made in the period under review, in which total Duty Payable Value (DPV) was put at N1,267, 504, 035, Shuaibu said others included a total of 940 rounds of live ammunition; 586 bales of used clothing; 85 bags of imported flour; 3, 766 cartons of poultry frozen products, as well as 2, 150 used pneumatic tyres among others.

“These achievements are a testament to the commitment of our officers combatting smuggling activities, protecting the economy and also safeguarding the well-being of the society,” he said.

While stressing that his command would not relent in the war against smuggling to ensure the security of the country, Shuaibu, however, solicited the cooperation of members of the public in providing “timely and credible information” that can assist the NCS combat smuggling and other economic crimes.