The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has handed over narcotics worth ₦3.951 billion and three suspects linked to the seizures to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as part of intensified efforts to disrupt illicit drug trafficking across the country.
The seizures, recorded through sustained anti-smuggling operations within the Unit’s area of responsibility, were formally handed over on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the FOU Zone ‘A’ headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, said the operations targeted drug trafficking networks operating along border corridors, major highways and other strategic locations.
Among the seized items were 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg, alongside various quantities of cannabis, crystal methamphetamine and pharmaceutical drugs.
The seizures included 3.45kg of ground cannabis, commonly known as skunk; 1kg of granulated skunk; 11 smaller packs weighing 0.35kg; 49 wraps weighing 26.1kg; and a wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.
Customs officers also intercepted 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of Tramadol tablets in 225mg and 100mg doses, as well as 1,200 Hypnox 1mg tablets and 97 bottles of codeine syrup.
Three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu warned that the trafficking of illicit substances remains a major threat to public health, national security and the future of young Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
He added that such substances contribute to addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems.
In a separate operation, Customs also intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury, each weighing 34.5kg, along the Lagos-Abeokuta corridor.
The mercury was handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for appropriate action.
According to Aliyu, the substance has significant environmental hazards and is subject to international controls under the Minamata Convention.
The Customs comptroller stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among security and regulatory agencies, noting that the growing sophistication of smuggling and trans-border crime requires a coordinated response.
“No single agency can effectively confront the complex nature of contemporary smuggling and trans-border criminality alone,” he said.
Aliyu called for sustained information sharing, joint operations, coordinated intelligence, capacity building and the prompt transfer of seized items to agencies with the appropriate statutory jurisdiction.
Representatives of the NDLEA and NESREA formally received the seized items and suspects, commending the Customs Service for its continued collaboration with sister agencies in the fight against smuggling and trans-border crime.