Customs seizes N511.4m worth of illicit drugs in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products worth N511.4 million and arrested two male suspects in separate operations along the Lagos-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan expressways.

The seizures included 65.9kg of cannabis, 400g of cocaine, 100g of crystal methamphetamine, 900g of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.

Two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna, were also intercepted during the operations.

The suspects, vehicles and exhibits 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 necessary legal action.

Speaking during the handover at the unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, said the seizures resulted from intelligence-driven operations.

Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, said officers intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus conveying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, around Ore, Ondo State, at about 1pm on October 10, 2026.

He added that a separate operation on October 7 led to the interception of another vehicle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where officers discovered 57 cartons of assorted codeine syrup.

He said the operations underscored the service’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and the smuggling of controlled pharmaceutical products.

Receiving the exhibits on behalf of the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji, commended Customs for its cooperation and assured that the agency would handle the exhibits and suspects in accordance with the law.

Similarly, NAFDAC Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, Mrs Edith, who received the codeine syrup on behalf of the agency’s Director of Enforcement, pledged continued collaboration with Customs to combat illicit and substandard pharmaceutical products.

The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to curbing smuggling, protecting public health and facilitating legitimate trade.