…Luxury cars, drugs, and goods intercepted in intelligence-driven operations
Mistura Sanusi
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contrabands with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,401,531,923.95, including a 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost, a 2018 Honda Accord, and a 2014 Mercedes Benz, alongside thousands of bags of foreign rice and large quantities of cannabis sativa.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters, Idiroko, Abeokuta.
According to him, the seizures were products of intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of Customs officers.
“Through intelligence-driven operations, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of our gallant officers, we successfully made the following seizures: Foreign Parboiled Rice of 50kg each — 4,424 bags, which is over 7 truckloads. Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana — 50 sacks and 1,936 parcels of coconut size,” Otunla said.
Other seized items include 105 pieces of used pneumatic tyres, 21 bales and 3 sacks of used clothes, and 6,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He added, “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the aforementioned seizures amounts to One Billion, Four Hundred and One Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo (N1,401,531,923.95), representing a significant economic loss to smugglers but a huge gain to our national economy and security.”
The feat comes barely six weeks after the Command intercepted 2,693 parcels of cannabis concealed inside a false compartment fabricated at the bottom of a Mercedes Benz truck.
Otunla noted that synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was critical, as the agency took over the cannabis seizures.
He stressed that such collaboration was not only in compliance with government directives but also part of a collective determination to safeguard public health, protect national security, and shield youths from the devastating effects of hard drugs.
