Operatives of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted a truck carrying a large quantity of illegal drugs in Benin City, marking a major crackdown on drug trafficking.
Gatekeepers News reports that the seizure was carried out by Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway. The intercepted truck contained 1,025,000 tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin codeine syrup (100ml each), with a total Duty Paid Value of about N1.05 billion.
The Customs Comptroller in charge of the unit, Bishir Balogun, said the operation was made possible through intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement efforts. He described the seizure as a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat the illegal drug trade.
Balogun revealed that the truck driver attempted to evade officers when flagged down but eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush. A search later uncovered that the drugs were carefully hidden among legitimate goods to avoid detection.
He added that the operation highlights the agency’s commitment to tackling the smuggling of substances like tramadol and codeine, which contribute to rising cases of drug abuse and crime across the country. The seized items are now in custody, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible.
The Customs Service also warned smugglers to desist from illegal activities, stressing that it will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to protect public health and national security.
