By Godwin Oritse

THE Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Owerri, in Imo State has intercepted over one million Tramadol Tablets and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine Syrup worth N1.05 billion along Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin, Edo State.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Bishir Balogun, in a statement made available to Vanguard on Saturday, said the seizure is a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

Balogun disclosed that, through strategic intelligence and coordinated enforcement, operatives of the unit intercepted a truck loaded with 1,025,000 tablets of Tramadol and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup (100ml each) along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State.

He said when the truck was flagged down, the driver attempted to evade officers but eventually parked and fled into nearby bushland.

According to him, a subsequent search revealed the drugs cleverly concealed among legitimate goods to evade detection, adding that the seized drugs has a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) N1.05 billion.
The Comptroller stressed that this operation underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to curbing the smuggling of prohibited substances like Tramadol and Codeine, which fuel drug addiction and crime nationwide.
He warned smugglers and criminal networks to abandon their illegal activities, as the NCS will continue deploying intelligence-led strategies to safeguard public health and national security.
Balogun disclosed that the seized consignment is in custody, with investigations underway to apprehend those responsible.