Customs intercepts N2.35bn cocaine, cylinders of mercury, others

By Aisha Cole

The Nigeria Customs Service has listed 6.35kg of cocaine valued at N2.35 billion and other contrabands including explosives, petrol, Ghana Loud and others valued above N5.5 billion among the recent seizures by operatives of its Federal Operations Unit Zone A

The operatives also foiled 473 smuggling attempts in eight weeks, Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Gambo Aliyu said.

Aliyu who spoke while handing over the seized drugs and other illicit substances to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos on Tuesday said the 6.35kg of cocaine valued at N2.35 billion was intercepted during a separate operation along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

He also revealed that officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying 6.35kg of cocaine, with a 71-year-old Nigerian arrested in connection with the seizure.

Aliyu said the seizures were recorded across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states, with several suspects arrested.

Aliyu said four cylinders of mercury, each weighing 80kg, were also intercepted, describing the substance as hazardous under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

He said the mercury would be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation.

He said the unit launched Operation Hawk to disrupt narcotics trafficking networks.

Under the operation, 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,540kg were seized.

He said N97.7 million was recovered from underpaid duties between February 3 and April 28 2026 through enforcement actions.

He added total duty-paid value of seizures stood at N5.5 billion, reflecting operational effectiveness against economic saboteurs.

Aliyu said the unit was deploying digital surveillance including geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drones and predictive analytics to track smuggling routes.

He handed over seized drugs and three suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for investigation and prosecution.

NDLEA Commander Ibrahim Kabiru commended customs operatives for synergy and professionalism.

“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 said the seizures sent a strong signal that Lagos and its environs would not serve as safe havens for illicit drug activities.

He commended Comptroller Aliyu and his team for strong collaboration in the fight against illicit substances and drug abuse.

(NAN)