Customs Seizes Illicit Drugs Worth Over N2.6B, Hands Over to NDLEA in Owerri

By Bon Peters

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations unit Zone C Owerri, Imo state says it has handed over seized and control consignments worth over N2.6B to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

This disclosure was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available to Media platforms on Thursday, April 23, 2026 by the command’s public relaction’s officer, R Nche, a Chief superintendent of Customs.

According to the statement, the handing over of the seized unregistered control drugs,and other illicit drugs to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two Billion,Six Hundred and Thirty Eight Million,One Hundred and Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Naira only (N2,638,102,565.00) was conducted at the unit headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, by the Controller, Federal Operations unit Zone C, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun.

The statement went further to posit that “These seized prohibited highly controlled drugs, and illicit drugs were intercepted through a strategic credible intelligence deployment, diligent surveillance and a high level of professionalism of the officers and men of the unit who remain resolute in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.”

It added that, “the handing over event underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service in safeguarding the nation from the danger posed by illicit drugs and highly controlled substances.”

The statement also emphasized that the misuse and illegal distribution of tramadol, codeine based syrups and cannabis sativa have constantly posed a serious threat to public health, especially within the youth and national security insisting that those substances when abused contribute to the menace of high profile criminal activities and social instability.

“The service recognizes this implications and remain fully commited to combating this menace at all levels” the statement reiterated.

The seized consignments that were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) include One Million, One hundred and Twenty Six Thousand and Sixty (1,126,060) tramadol tablets, twenty one thousand two hundred and forty five (21,245) bottles of codeine syrups , six hundred and sixty -six (666) sacks of cannabis sativa, Nineteen (19) wraps of cannabis sativa, three (3) wraps of Scottish loud ,Eleven (11) wraps of canadian loud, and five (5) wraps of colos and other control drugs with a duty paid value (DPV) of Two Billion,Six Hundred and Thirty Eight Million,One Hundred and Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Naira only (N2,638,102,565.00).

The statement also added that in line with the CGC’s Wale Adeniyi MFR PhD policy thrust on Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, the unit’s breakthrough in anti-smuggling activities was largely dependent on teamwork and effective collaborative engagement with other sister agencies to achieve a common national goal.

“As we all know the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency as the lead Agency in drug control and enforcement play a critical role in ensuring that these seized items are kept out of unregulated circulation” the statement emphasized.

While handing over the items to the Deputy Zonal Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) DC Bani MacLean Monday, the Federal Operations unit Zone C Controller, Comptroller BA Balogun appreciated the continued cooperation of the NDLEA, and other critical stakeholders in their collective efforts to secure the nation even as he urged members of the public to remain vigilant by providing timely and useful information, insisting that with such positive motive “we can build a safer and a healthier society at all levels.”