By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has seized illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products with a combined street value of N3.951 billion and arrested three suspects in connection with the seizures.
The seized substances, which included cannabis sativa, crystal methamphetamine, Tramadol and Codeine, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.
Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this yesterday during the formal handover of the seized narcotics and pharmaceutical products to the NDLEA and other relevant agencies at the unit’s headquarters on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
Aliyu said the seizures were made during sustained anti-smuggling operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
He said the operations were specifically targeted at disrupting drug trafficking syndicates operating within the zone.
According to him, the seized substances included 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic strain of cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg.
Other cannabis-related seizures comprised three-and-a-half packs of ground cannabis (Skunk) weighing 3.45kg, two packs of granular cannabis (Skunk) weighing 1kg, 11 small packs of granular cannabis weighing 0.35kg and 49 wraps of cannabis (Skunk) weighing 26.1kg.
The Customs also seized 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream Cigars weighing 0.5 gramme and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.
Aliyu said the narcotic substances were formally handed over to the NDLEA in accordance with its statutory mandate.
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Other items seized and handed over included 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg Tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox tablets of 1mg and 97 bottles of Codeine syrup.
The comptroller warned that the illicit movement of cannabis sativa and other controlled substances posed serious threats to public health, national security and the future of Nigerian youths.
“The illicit movement of Cannabis Sativa and other controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health, national security and the future of our young people. Such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems,” Aliyu said.
He said the Customs Service would continue to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain and support the NDLEA in disrupting the movement of narcotic drugs and illicit goods across Nigeria’s borders.
Aliyu added that the service was committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigations whenever necessary.
He explained that transferring the seized narcotics to the NDLEA would enable the agency to carry out the appropriate forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes in accordance with the law.
He said the process would also ensure that the seized narcotics were handled, stored and disposed of in a secure and professionally regulated manner.
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Aliyu said the chemical had dual purposes but posed significant environmental hazards and was controlled under the Minamata Convention.
He said the mercury would be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the appropriate environmental regulatory agency, for further action.
“In a similar vein, our vigilant officers also intercepted and seized (4) cylinders of a chemical weighing 34.5kg each confirmed to be high grade MERCURY that is used in small scale for illegal mining of GOLD,” he said.
“This item has dual purposes, it has significant environmental hazards and it is controlled by MINAMATA CONVENTION. The chemicals will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) which is the appropriate environmental regulatory competence for further agency actions,” Aliyu added.
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The comptroller said the seizures underscored the importance of collaboration among security and regulatory agencies in tackling smuggling and trans-border criminality.
He called for sustained information sharing, joint operations, coordinated intelligence, capacity building and prompt transfer of seized items to agencies with the statutory responsibility to handle them.
Aliyu commended the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation and professionalism, as well as other sister security and regulatory agencies whose contributions, he said, continued to strengthen collective efforts against smuggling.
He assured that the Federal Operations Unit would not relent in its anti-smuggling responsibilities, saying it would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, effective patrols and robust enforcement operations to disrupt smugglers and criminal networks.
Our men have continued to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the law in the discharge of their duties.
We shall continue to facilitate legitimate trade while firmly preventing the movement of prohibited, harmful and improperly regulated goods,” Aliyu said.
He said the fight against narcotics trafficking, environmental crimes and other forms of smuggling remained a collective responsibility.
Aliyu reaffirmed the commitment of the Customs Service to protecting Nigeria’s borders, safeguarding the lives and well-being of citizens and enforcing all laws governing the movement of goods into and out of the country.
