Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, have intercepted a large consignment of illicit drugs valued at over N1.056 billion in Edo State.
The seizure, which took place along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, involved more than two million tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of barcadin codeine syrup.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Bashir Balogun, described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking across the country.
According to him, the interception was made on March 15, 2026, following credible intelligence and coordinated enforcement efforts by officers of the unit.
“Through strategic intelligence, our operatives intercepted a truck conveying over two million tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of barcadin codeine syrup along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway,” Balogun said.
He added that the driver of the vehicle attempted to evade arrest when he was flagged down but eventually abandoned the truck and fled into a nearby bush.
“The suspect tried to escape but later parked the vehicle and ran into the bush. A thorough search of the truck revealed that the drugs were concealed among legitimate goods to avoid detection,” he explained.
Balogun noted that the seized items have a duty-paid value estimated at N1.056 billion, stressing that the operation highlights the service’s resolve to combat the smuggling of prohibited substances.
“This seizure underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting public health and national security by curbing the influx of dangerous drugs that contribute to crime and addiction,” he said.
He warned individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking to desist from such activities, adding that the Customs Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to dismantle criminal networks.
“The consignment is currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing to track down and apprehend all those connected to this smuggling attempt,” Balogun added.
