FOU Zone A Customs Operatives Intercept 3.4 Tonnes of Cannabis, 23,220 Matchets, Others Worth N6.1bn
Aneni
By Francis Ugwoke
Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs (NCS) have intercepted 3.4 tonnes of cannabis and 23,220 pieces of new matchets and other contraband which duty paid value was put at N6.19 billion
This was disclosed by the Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Oladapo Afeni, during a press briefing in Lagos.
Afeni said that the seizures were recorded within four weeks of enforcement operations by his officers.
According to him, the operation was carried out to check any rise in circulation of prohibited goods as well as protect the nation’s economy from anything that will threaten public safety especially as the nation plans for the 2027 election.
Among the items intercepted were prohibited and restricted items including 5,986 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition, 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine and eight live pangolins.
Other items included 21 foreign-used vehicles, 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 1,236 used tyres, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The operatives, he said, intercepted 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC registration numbers, 101 bags of imported sugar, eight bags of powdered milk, 12 bags of grain oat products, 20 cartons of couscous and a 40-foot container carrying 2,760 office chairs in completely knocked-down form.
He added, “The volume of Cannabis on display is of grave concern when considered alongside the World Drug Report of 2025 issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) where Cannabis remains the most available and widely used drug, while simultaneously accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
“Increasingly-potent cannabis strains including the variety popularly marketed as Colorado have destroyed otherwise promising futures among young people. The effect goes beyond individual users to include disruption of families, fuelling of social vices, and placing considerable strain on our healthcare system.
“This interception deals a blow to availability, illegal proceeds of sale, and use of these products with the attendant diverse and adverse effects averted.”
The Controller said that the seizure of matchets was significant as a result of the 2027 that is approaching.
Afeni said the interception of the matchets was particularly significant given the
According to him, “The 23,220 pieces of new matchets being smuggled into the country without requisite certificates and permits could easily be deployed towards disrupting peaceful elections in a couple of months.
“Election violence is rarely an isolated incident but facilitated and aided by smuggling activities like the one thwarted by our operatives.”
He however assured “importers, licensed Customs agents, and members of the trading public that the Unit will continue to distinguish between legitimate trade and fraudulent practices. We will facilitate compliant trade, but we will not tolerate attempts to evade duties, falsify declarations, or undermine national security”
Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs (NCS) have intercepted 3.4 tonnes of cannabis and 23,220 pieces of new matchets and other contraband which duty paid value was put at N6.19 billion
This was disclosed by the Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Oladapo Afeni, during a press briefing in Lagos.
Afeni said that the seizures were recorded within four weeks of enforcement operations by his officers.
According to him, the operation was carried out to check any rise in circulation of prohibited goods as well as protect the nation’s economy from anything that will threaten public safety especially as the nation plans for the 2027 election.
Among the items intercepted were prohibited and restricted items including 5,986 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition, 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine and eight live pangolins.
Other items included 21 foreign-used vehicles, 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 1,236 used tyres, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The operatives, he said, intercepted 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC registration numbers, 101 bags of imported sugar, eight bags of powdered milk, 12 bags of grain oat products, 20 cartons of couscous and a 40-foot container carrying 2,760 office chairs in completely knocked-down form.
He added, “The volume of Cannabis on display is of grave concern when considered alongside the World Drug Report of 2025 issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) where Cannabis remains the most available and widely used drug, while simultaneously accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
“Increasingly-potent cannabis strains including the variety popularly marketed as Colorado have destroyed otherwise promising futures among young people. The effect goes beyond individual users to include disruption of families, fuelling of social vices, and placing considerable strain on our healthcare system.
“This interception deals a blow to availability, illegal proceeds of sale, and use of these products with the attendant diverse and adverse effects averted.”
The Controller said that the seizure of matchets was significant as a result of the 2027 that is approaching.
Afeni said the interception of the matchets was particularly significant given the
According to him, “The 23,220 pieces of new matchets being smuggled into the country without requisite certificates and permits could easily be deployed towards disrupting peaceful elections in a couple of months.
“Election violence is rarely an isolated incident but facilitated and aided by smuggling activities like the one thwarted by our operatives.”
He however assured “importers, licensed Customs agents, and members of the trading public that the Unit will continue to distinguish between legitimate trade and fraudulent practices. We will facilitate compliant trade, but we will not tolerate attempts to evade duties, falsify declarations, or undermine national security”
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