The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has intercepted and handed over 822 loaves of cannabis and 532 bottles of controlled pharmaceutical products to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control following intelligence-led operations along Nigeria’s waterways.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, disclosed this during a briefing at the command headquarters on Wednesday.
He said operatives acted on credible intelligence to uncover the narcotics concealed in sacks of second-hand clothing along the creeks and maritime routes.
“About 320 loaves of cannabis sativa were discovered inside 10 sacks of second-hand clothing,” Ntadi said, describing the seizure as a major breakthrough in the command’s anti-smuggling efforts.
The intercepted cannabis, including sativa and indica variants, was handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and destruction.
The 532 bottles of codeine and other controlled substances were transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action.
The operation also yielded 10 bales of used clothing, 569 pairs of adult shoes, and 517 pairs of children’s shoes.
Ntadi said several suspects escaped by jumping into the waterways, a common tactic among smugglers in coastal and creek areas.
He commended officers for their dedication under challenging marine patrol conditions and stressed that inter-agency cooperation remains critical to disrupting drug trafficking and trans-border crime.
Deputy Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, Olufemi, received the exhibits on behalf of the agency.
He lauded Customs for its consistent role in combating illicit drug trafficking and warned that offenders would face prosecution.
At the event, Ntadi was also recognized by the African International Wrestling Federation for his support of anti-smuggling advocacy and youth development.
The group unveiled a “Pro-Wrestling Against Border Smuggling” campaign aimed at using sports and entertainment to raise public awareness on border crimes.
