The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service has intercepted illicit drugs and mercury worth an estimated N3.95 billion in separate anti-smuggling operations.
The seizures, made over the past three months, included synthetic cannabis, cannabis, crystal methamphetamine, tramadol tablets, codeine-based syrup and mercury.
The FOU Zone A Customs Controller, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists in Lagos on Thursday.
He said the items were intercepted along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
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“The operation resulted in the seizure of 5,669 packages and 19 units of synthetic cannabis weighing 3,116.9kg, in addition to other quantities of cannabis and a wrapper of crystal methamphetamine,” he said.
“The seizures also included 1,754 packets and 6,948 sachets of Tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox tablets and 97 bottles of syrup,” Aliyu said.
The Customs chief added that agents also intercepted four cylinders of mercury, a chemical used in small-scale artisanal gold mining and subject to international environmental controls.
He said the combined street value of the seized narcotics and mercury was estimated at N3.951 million.
Aliyu said three suspects arrested in connection with the seizures would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He added that a truck allegedly used to hide and transport 326 packages of cannabis was also intercepted, among which two suspects linked to the seizure will be transferred to the NDLEA.
According to him, the seized narcotics will be handed over to the NDLEA for forensic examination and further legal action.
“The mercury will be delivered to NESREA due to the potential environmental risks associated with the chemical,” Aliyu explained.
He warned that smuggling of narcotics and dangerous substances poses serious risks to public health, national security and the environment.