Customs Hands Over N3.95bn Illicit Drugs, Mercury To NDLEA, NESREA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, on Thursday handed over illicit drugs and mercury worth N3.95 billion, as well as three suspects, to relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this at a briefing with newsmen in Lagos.

Aliyu handed over 5,669 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg and three suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He also handed over four cylinders of high-grade mercury weighing 34.5kg each to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Aliyu said the handover demonstrated the commitment of the NCS to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic wellbeing of Nigerians through sustained anti-smuggling operations.

He said the illicit drugs were intercepted by customs officers along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.

Aliyu listed the major seizures to include 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg.

“Other items include 3.45kg of ground cannabis, 1kg and 0.35kg of granulated cannabis, 49 wraps weighing 26.1kg, 24 packets of Backwoods cigars and 0.35kg of crystal methamphetamine.”

“The command also seized 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox 1mg tablets and 97 bottles of codeine syrup,” he said.

The comptroller said the illicit movement of cannabis and other controlled drugs posed serious threats to public health, national security and the future of Nigerian youths.

*L-R the Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Administration Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Timothy Worusen, the Commander Narcotic, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr James Akogwu while receiving the 5,669 parcels of cannabis with three suspects from Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu and Deputy Comptroller Intervention, Ishaku Manda in Lagos on Thursday

According to him, such activities fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems.

He pledged that the NCS would strengthen supply-chain integrity and continue to support the NDLEA by disrupting the movement of narcotics and other illicit goods across the country’s borders.

Aliyu said the formal transfer of the seized items would enable the NDLEA to conduct forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes, while ensuring that the narcotics were professionally handled and disposed of.

He said that, in a related operation, customs officers intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury weighing 34.5kg each, allegedly intended for use in illegal small-scale gold mining.

According to him, mercury has dual uses but poses significant environmental hazards and is controlled under the Minamata Convention.

He said the mercury was therefore handed over to NESREA for appropriate action.

Aliyu added that the seized narcotics had a street value of N3.95 billion, while the three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures would also be handed over to the NDLEA.

The Comptroller stressed that no single agency could effectively confront contemporary smuggling without collaboration.

He called for sustained inter-agency cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity building.

Aliyu commended the leadership of the NDLEA and NESREA for their cooperation, assuring that FOU Zone ‘A’ would deploy intelligence-driven strategies and robust enforcement to disrupt smuggling networks.

He said the NCS would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing the movement of prohibited goods, adding that the fight against narcotics trafficking and environmental crimes remained a collective national responsibility.

Receiving the three suspects and the 5,669 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,116.9kg, the Commander of Narcotics, Mr James Akogwu, pledged stronger collaboration with the NCS and other sister agencies to curb drug trafficking across Lagos and its border corridors.

Akogwu commended the customs officers for intercepting illicit drugs worth N3.95 billion, saying the seizures would help protect public health, national security and the future of Nigerian youths.

He assured that the NDLEA would conduct forensic investigations and prosecute the suspects, while intensifying intelligence-driven operations to dismantle drug syndicates operating in the state.

The Assistant Director, Lagos Port Operations of NESREA, Mr David Vonkur, also commended FOU Zone ‘A’ for the seizure and handover of the mercury.

Vonkur said NESREA had on several occasions received toxic substances seized by the NCS for proper handling and disposal.