The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced the seizure of 6.35 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at N2.35 billion, alongside other contraband items, including explosives, petrol and synthetic cannabis, bringing the total value of recent interceptions to over N5.5 billion.
The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos while handing over the confiscated narcotics and suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Aliyu said operatives of the unit thwarted 473 smuggling attempts within an eight-week period, describing the development as a significant breakthrough in ongoing anti-smuggling operations.
He explained that the cocaine was intercepted during a targeted operation along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, adding that a 71-year-old suspect was arrested after officers stopped a Toyota Highlander conveying the illicit substance.
According to him, the seizures were recorded across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states, with several individuals taken into custody in connection with the operations.
The comptroller further revealed that four cylinders of mercury, each weighing 80 kilogrammes, were also intercepted, noting that the substance is classified as hazardous under international environmental regulations. He said the mercury would be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
Aliyu disclosed that the unit’s enforcement efforts were strengthened through “Operation Hawk,” an initiative designed to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks. Under the operation, officers seized 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis with a total weight of 1,540 kilogrammes.
He added that the unit recovered N97.7 million from underpaid duties between February 3 and April 28, 2026, through intensified enforcement activities.
Aliyu said the cumulative duty-paid value of the seizures stood at over N5.5 billion, reflecting what he described as sustained efforts to curb economic sabotage.
He also highlighted the deployment of advanced surveillance tools, including geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drones and predictive analytics, to monitor and intercept smuggling activities.
The seized drugs and three suspects were formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
Receiving the items, NDLEA Commander, Ibrahim Kabiru, commended the customs operatives for their professionalism and collaboration.
“I formally received two parcels of suspected cocaine weighing 2.30kg, four parcels of crack cocaine weighing 4.05kg, 3,340 cannabis parcels and three suspects,” he said.
Kabiru added that the interceptions send a strong message that Lagos and its environs will not be safe havens for drug trafficking, while praising the Customs Service for its continued partnership in tackling illicit drug activities.
