Nigerian Customs Foil Major Drug Trafficking Plot

International Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-09-19 12:04:20 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 16:25:04

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In a significant victory against drug trafficking, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a massive haul of illicit drugs worth a staggering N5.1 billion. This seizure, one of the largest in recent history, highlights the growing sophistication of smuggling operations and the crucial role of intelligence and inter-agency collaboration in combating this menace.

Customs officials, led by Comptroller Michael Awe, revealed the seizure at a press briefing in Lagos. The operation, a result of meticulous intelligence and surveillance, uncovered a diverse range of drugs, including Canadian cannabis, Tramadol Hydrochloride, Pregabalin, Norflex, and Sardalud tablets. These substances, with a Duty Paid Value of N3.778 billion, were cleverly disguised within household items and duvets, demonstrating the smugglers' cunning tactics.

The drugs were imported from India and Canada, concealed within consignments with airway bills that were carefully tracked and intercepted by customs officers. The sheer volume of the seizure, including 121 packs of cannabis and 294,000 Tramadol tablets, underscores the scale of the operation and the potential health risks posed to the public. The rebranding of these drugs as Diclofenac Sodium, a dangerous deception, could have led to severe health complications for unsuspecting consumers.

Customs officials, in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have vowed to intensify their efforts. Kelechi Nwude, NAFDAC's Assistant Director, emphasized that there would be no safe haven for drug cartels, and that the combined efforts of these agencies would dismantle their operations. This seizure sends a powerful message to traffickers, signaling a new era of heightened vigilance and collaboration to safeguard Nigeria's borders and public health.

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