By Efe Onodjae

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Tuesday, said it thwarted no fewer than 473 smuggling attempts across the South-West within eight weeks, seizing contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N5.5 billion.

The illicit drugs include N2.35 billion worth of cocaine and 3,340 parcels of cannabis which were seized during intensified anti-smuggling operations across the South-West region in the last eight weeks.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the Customs College, Ikeja, yesterday, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu said the unit recorded 473 interceptions within eight weeks through intelligence-led operations targeting smugglers and other economic saboteurs.

Aliyu said the seizures included 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 531 cartons of poultry products, 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 24 bags of foreign sugar.

He stated that the unit also intercepted 3,340 compressed parcels of synthetic cannabis popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing 1,540 kilogrammes, under a special anti-narcotics operation code-named “Operation Hawk.”

According to him, the operation was launched to curb illicit trafficking, protect government revenue, and safeguard society from criminal activities linked to drug smuggling.

“Our analysis of recent trends indicates that traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade. This necessitated the integration of Human Intelligence and Open Source Intelligence operations, which are already yielding measurable results,” he said.

The FOU A Zone boss further disclosed that operatives at the Gbaji outpost intercepted a green Toyota Highlander along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor on April 30 after acting on credible intelligence.

He said the vehicle, driven by a 71-year-old suspect identified as Oni Iredia Martins, concealed six parcels of cocaine weighing 6.35 kilogrammes.

“The seizure consisted of 2.3kg of powdered cocaine and 4.05kg of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of N2.35 billion” he added.

Aliyu said the cocaine and cannabis would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

In another operation, the Comptroller said Customs operatives intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury concealed in the false bottom compartment of a Toyota Avensis at the Gbaji outpost.

He explained that mercury is a hazardous chemical controlled under the Minamata Convention due to its environmental risks and illegal use in artisanal gold mining.

Aliyu said the suspect connected to the seizure had been granted administrative bail while investigations continue, adding that the items would be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

On revenue generation, the Comptroller disclosed that the unit recorded a Duty Paid Value of N5.5 billion during the review period through seizures and enforcement operations.

“An additional N97.7 million was recovered through demand notices issued on underpaid duties and questionable declarations between February and April 2026” he said.

Aliyu noted that the unit is deploying modern technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drone surveillance, satellite imagery, predictive analytics, and real-time vehicle tracking to strengthen intelligence gathering and border security operations.

He also announced that the unit would soon commence phased relocation to its newly commissioned headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State, describing the facility as a major step toward modernizing Customs operations.