The Nigeria Customs Service has transferred narcotics valued at ₦3.95 billion and 138kg of high-grade mercury to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The seized items were handed over on Thursday by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, during a ceremony at its headquarters on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.
The Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures were made during sustained anti-smuggling operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
The narcotics handed over to the NDLEA included 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg, as well as various quantities of cannabis, crystal methamphetamine, tramadol, Hypnox tablets and codeine syrup.
The consignment also comprised 3½ packs of ground cannabis weighing 3.45kg, two packs of granular cannabis weighing 1kg, 11 small packs of granular cannabis weighing 0.35kg, 49 wraps of cannabis weighing 26.1kg, 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream cigars weighing 0.5g and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35g.
Other items transferred to the NDLEA were 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox 1mg tablets and 97 bottles of codeine syrup.
Three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures were also handed over to the agency for investigation and possible prosecution.
Aliyu said the illicit movement of cannabis and other controlled substances posed serious threats to public health, national security and the wellbeing of young people.
He said such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems, adding that the Customs Service would continue to disrupt narcotics supply chains through intelligence sharing and joint operations with the NDLEA.
In a separate development, the unit handed over four cylinders of high-grade mercury to NESREA. The cylinders weighed 34.5kg each, bringing the total weight of the chemical to 138kg.
Aliyu said the mercury was believed to be intended for use in illegal small-scale gold mining. He described it as a dual-use and environmentally hazardous chemical controlled under the Minamata Convention.
He said the seizures underscored the need for stronger cooperation among government agencies involved in combating smuggling, trans-border crime, environmental violations and the movement of controlled substances.
“No single agency can tackle contemporary smuggling and trans-border crime alone,” he said, calling for sustained information sharing, coordinated intelligence, joint operations and the prompt transfer of exhibits to agencies with the appropriate mandates.
The comptroller assured that the Federal Operations Unit would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies, enhanced surveillance, patrols and enforcement operations to disrupt smugglers and criminal networks.
He commended the NDLEA, NESREA and other sister agencies for their cooperation, adding that the unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing the movement of prohibited and harmful goods.
