By: Manoah Kikekon
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has officially transferred confiscated illicit drugs and controlled medicines valued at ₦511.4 million in Duty Paid Value (DPV) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The official handover took place on Friday, 16 October 2026, at the FOU Zone ‘A’ headquarters along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
The contraband items surrendered to the regulatory and enforcement agencies included, Illicit Substances: 121 parcels of cannabis sativa (weighing 65.9kg), 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis, 900g of ground synthetic cannabis, 400g of cocaine, and 100g of crystal methamphetamine.
Pharmaceuticals: 57 cartons containing assorted codeine syrup.
Operational Evidence: 86 packs of specialized packaging material, two conveyance vehicles, and two male suspects arrested in connection with the trafficking operations.
Representing the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (Enforcement) Oluwaseun Oguntuase stated that the intercepts were executed through targeted, intelligence-driven operations across major transit corridors and strategic points within the unit's coverage.
Detailing the operations, Oguntuase revealed that on 10 October 2026, customs officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus along the Lagos–Benin Expressway near Ore, Ondo State, uncovering narcotics hidden within polythene bags. Earlier, on 7 October, another patrol team intercepted a vehicle along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, confiscating 57 cartons of illegally transported codeine syrup.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its mandate to protect the nation’s borders, safeguard public health, and support national security,” Oguntuase affirmed.
Taking custody of the narcotics on behalf of the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, Deputy Commander of Narcotics Ganiyu Bolaji commended the NCS for its robust inter-agency synergy. He assured that the suspects, vehicle, and confiscated exhibits would be thoroughly processed and prosecuted according to statutory regulations.
Representing NAFDAC's Director of Enforcement, Deputy Director of Pharmaceuticals Edith Joseph formally accepted the seized codeine shipment. She lauded the Unit’s vigilance and reiterated NAFDAC's commitment to working alongside Customs to eradicate substandard and illegal pharmaceutical products from Nigerian markets.