By The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the interception of narcotics s...
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The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the interception of narcotics suspected to be cocaine valued at over N1 billion along the Badagry Seme Expressway.
The seizure, which involved 22 compressed packages of the illicit substance concealed inside a Toyota Highlander vehicle, was carried out by operatives of the Seme Area Command in the early hours of Tuesday at about 3:00am, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
Speaking during the official presentation of the seized items in Lagos on Friday, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, disclosed that the substance weighed about 25 kilograms with a Duty Paid Value estimated at N1 billion.
Adeniyi attributed the successful operation to credible intelligence promptly acted upon by officers of the Seme Command under the leadership of Wale Adenuga.
He praised the officers for their professionalism and vigilance, noting that the interception reflected the Service’s unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders and citizens from the dangers of narcotic trafficking.
“This was not a coincidence but a product of actionable intelligence and swift response. Our officers demonstrated courage and commitment in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which empowers us to enforce prohibitions aimed at protecting public health and national security,” he said.
Following the interception, the drugs, the vehicle used for transportation and the suspect were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
Adeniyi noted that the seamless collaboration between Customs and NDLEA highlights the strength of inter agency cooperation in tackling drug smuggling through intelligence sharing and joint operations.
He further linked the success to the recent International Customs Day celebration held under the theme of the World Customs Organization which focuses on protecting society through vigilance and commitment.
“Every day, our officers stand as the first line of defence against threats such as smuggling and narcotics trafficking that destroy lives and undermine national security. Our duty goes beyond revenue collection. It is a solemn responsibility to safeguard society,” Adeniyi stated.
He reassured Nigerians of the Service’s continued dedication to border security and public safety while commending NDLEA for its sustained partnership in the fight against drug crimes.
Earlier, Comptroller Wale Adenuga revealed that the intelligence leading to the interception was facilitated directly by the Comptroller General, adding that the cocaine was cleverly hidden in the vehicle’s bunker and uncovered after a thorough search by vigilant officers.
The latest seizure adds to growing efforts by security agencies to curb the influx of hard drugs through Nigeria’s border corridors, particularly along the strategic Badagry Seme axis known for intense cross border movement.
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