By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a large consignment of hard drugs worth ₦562.5 million along the Gbaji–Seme Road in Lagos.
This seizure is a testament to the unit’s unwavering commitment to combating smuggling in all its forms.
On October 17, 2025, at around 1700 hours, a patrol team from the FOU, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended a suspect identified as Uduak Monday.
Upon searching the suspect, operatives discovered a nylon bag tightly wrapped with sellotape, which contained 25 kilograms of Ice Crystal Methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the seized substance is ₦562,500,000.
The Comptroller of the FOU, Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, revealed that the interception was a result of robust inter-agency collaboration and a commitment to dismantle smuggling networks operating within the zone.
The seized substance has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commander of Narcotics, Lagos State Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman, commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in the fight against drug trafficking. He described the contributions of the NCS as remarkable and emphasized that the NDLEA would continue to work closely with the unit to bring perpetrators to justice.
This significant seizure highlights the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in combating smuggling and drug trafficking. The NCS and NDLEA will continue to work together to prevent the proliferation of hard drugs and dismantle smuggling networks.
The suspect is expected to face trial in court, and the NDLEA will provide updates on the progress of the case.
The partnership between the NCS and NDLEA is a strategic one, aimed at enhancing the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking. The two agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen their collaboration and share intelligence. This seizure is a direct result of this partnership and demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration.
The NCS remains committed to ensuring compliance with regulations and enforcing border security. The agency will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to prevent the smuggling of prohibited goods, including hard drugs. This seizure serves as a warning to smugglers and drug traffickers that the NCS will not tolerate any form of smuggling.
The interception of the hard drugs consignment is a significant achievement for the NCS and NDLEA. The two agencies will continue to work together to combat smuggling and drug trafficking. The suspect’s prosecution is expected to serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in similar activities.
