By Adeyemi Micheal
The Ogun Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband goods, including 10,126 parcels of Cannabis Indica popularly known as “Ghana Loud,” with an estimated street value of over N5 billion, in intensified anti-smuggling operations across Ogun State.
The seizures were announced on Tuesday at the Sentry Idiroko Border Post by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller, Olukayode Afeni.
Afeni said the latest interception came just 41 days after the command handed over thousands of parcels of cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), highlighting what he described as sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and smuggling networks in the border region.
According to him, the drugs and other contraband were seized through intelligence-led operations at different locations within Ogun State.
He disclosed that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seized items stood at N6.77 billion, describing the operations as part of a renewed crackdown on economic sabotage.
Among the items intercepted were sacks of cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, smuggled vegetable oil, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), foreign sugar, used clothing, footwear, handbags, as well as pharmaceutical products without regulatory approval.
The command also seized six live pangolins, which have since been transferred to the relevant government agency for further action.
Afeni warned that the growing circulation of illicit drugs poses a serious threat to national security, noting that drug abuse among youths often fuels violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and terrorism.
He said that from January to date, the command had confiscated 26,002 parcels of cannabis, describing the operations as preventive measures aimed at safeguarding society.
He added that the command had also generated and remitted over N125 million into the Federation Account between March and May 2026 through auction sales and baggage assessments.
The Customs boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tightening border security and disrupting smuggling syndicates, while urging the public to support security agencies with credible intelligence.
He also commended inter-agency collaboration, noting that the seized narcotics have been handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation and action.
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