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Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, have intercepted a large consignment of illicit drugs valued at over ₦1 billion along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Bishir Balogun, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday, stating that the seizure followed credible intelligence and a coordinated enforcement operation carried out on March 15, 2026.
According to him, officers intercepted a truck conveying 1,025,000 tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin codeine syrup, each measuring 100ml. The substances were reportedly concealed among legitimate goods in a bid to evade detection.
Balogun explained that the driver of the vehicle attempted to escape after being flagged down but eventually abandoned the truck and fled into nearby bushland. A thorough search of the vehicle subsequently led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.
The seized items, he said, have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1.056 billion.
The Comptroller reiterated the Service’s commitment to tackling the smuggling of prohibited substances, noting that drugs such as tramadol and codeine are linked to rising cases of addiction and criminality. He warned smugglers and criminal networks to desist from illegal activities, stressing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to protect public health and national security.
Balogun added that the seized drugs remain in the custody of the Customs, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the illegal shipment.
