The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Kaduna, has intercepted 185 blocks of Cannabis Sativa valued at over N48.5 million, alongside other contraband worth N220 million in separate operations.
The seizures were announced on Thursday in a statement by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Saidu Nuruddeen, on behalf of the Comptroller, Mr Aliyu Alkali.
According to Nuruddeen, the operation was carried out in the early hours of August 21 along the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway.
“Acting on intelligence, operatives stopped a vehicle along the Zaria flyover and discovered nine sacks containing 185 compressed blocks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 89.6kg,” he said.
He confirmed that one male suspect was arrested, adding that both the suspect and the seized drugs had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
In a separate operation, Nuruddeen said customs officers also intercepted three vehicles conveying smuggled goods, including 456 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 8,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 178 bales of second-hand clothes, 225 cartons of spaghetti, 107 used tyres, and 37 electric shockers.
He noted that the duty paid value of the contraband stood at N220,457,336.
Commending the efforts of his officers, Comptroller Alkali reiterated the Service’s resolve to combat smuggling and protect the nation’s economy.
“These seizures are part of our continuous drive to safeguard national security and ensure that uncustomed and harmful goods do not find their way into our markets,” Alkali said.
He further praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and leadership in strengthening anti-smuggling operations.