FOU ZONE A SEIZES CANNABIS,CODEINE, 1,250 CARTRIDGES IN FOUR WEEK OPERATION

FOU ZONE A SEIZES CANNABIS,CODEINE, 1,250 CARTRIDGES IN FOUR WEEK OPERATION 

By Jennifer Nwosu 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted prohibited and restricted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.19 billion in four weeks, as part of intensified efforts to combat smuggling, protect government revenue and strengthen national security.

The Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday during his maiden press briefing on the activities of the unit in Ikeja, Lagos.

Afeni said the unit recorded 195 interceptions within the four week period through intelligence driven enforcement operations, improved surveillance, risk based examination and collaboration with relevant government agencies.

According to him, the seizures had a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦6,194,695,947.05, representing a significant breakthrough in the unit's renewed campaign against economic sabotage and cross border criminal activities.

The seized items included 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 995 bags of 25kg rice, 104 bags of 20kg rice and 207 bags of 5kg rice, alongside 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes.

Other interceptions comprised 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second hand clothing, 1,236 used tyres and 33 used rims.

The unit also intercepted 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 20 cartons of couscous, 101 bags of imported sugar and eight bags of powdered milk.

Afeni further disclosed that operatives seized 23,220 pieces of new machetes allegedly smuggled into the country without the required certificates and permits, as well as 12 bags of grain oat products and a 40 foot container carrying 2,760 pieces of office chairs in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form.

Other items included 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine, eight live pangolins, 1,250 rounds of 12 calibre Red Star cartridges, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC numbers, 21 foreign used vehicles and 11 means of conveyance.

The Acting Comptroller expressed concern over the quantity of cannabis intercepted, warning that the increasing availability of potent varieties posed serious risks to young people, families and society.

He cited the 2025 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which identified cannabis as the most widely available and commonly used drug, accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.

Afeni also raised concerns over the interception of 23,220 machetes, noting that the items could potentially be deployed to disrupt peaceful elections in the coming months if they found their way into the wrong hands.

Beyond anti smuggling operations, he said the unit had strengthened revenue recovery through compliance checks, scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under valuations and the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.

He disclosed that between September 30, 2026, and the date of the briefing, the unit recovered ₦683,661,304.05 through these measures, attributing the achievement to enhanced risk profiling, targeted examinations and improved compliance monitoring.

The Acting Comptroller assured importers, licensed customs agents and members of the trading public that the unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while maintaining zero tolerance for fraudulent declarations, duty evasion and activities capable of undermining national security.

He emphasised the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling transnational crimes, disclosing that FOU Zone A had sustained collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.

Afeni said seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to appropriate agencies in accordance with their statutory responsibilities.

He urged members of the public and other stakeholders to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities and promoting lawful trade. He also commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for the confidence reposed in him, assuring that FOU Zone A would sustain intelligence led enforcement, revenue protection and professional service delivery.