Nigeria's Customs Service in Kwara has seized over 425 kilograms of tramadol and cannabis in recent operations. The haul also included rice, pasta, and other contraband valued at more than N204 million.
Officers made the seizures between March and May this year. Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi announced the bust at a press briefing in Ilorin on Thursday.
The command targeted smuggling routes across 16 flashpoints in the state. Areas like Bukuro, Gurumi, and Sikira remained under close watch due to persistent smuggling attempts.
Cannabis weighing 49.5 kilograms was recovered during the operations. Tramadol seized totaled 376 kilograms in separate raids by operatives.
Customs officers also intercepted 155 bags of foreign parboiled rice. According to Ogundeyi, the rice alone was worth N52.4 million.
Nearly 3,700 packages of macaroni pasta were confiscated during the period. Officials valued the pasta at N110.9 million.
Vegetable oil in 418 jerrycans was also recovered from smugglers. Its duty paid value stands at N27.1 million.
In addition to food items, officers seized 5,925 litres of petrol. They impounded it across 237 jerrycans hidden by traders.
Other items included 70 used tyres, 18 bales of second-hand clothing, and corrosive chemicals. Nineteen jerrycans of the chemicals were recovered.
Ogundeyi noted that nine separate seizures were recorded in the first quarter alone. All contraband together had a duty paid value exceeding N204.7 million.
He credited the results to better enforcement and intelligence gathering. Border closures with Benin haven't stopped smugglers from trying, he indicated.
Revenue generated during the quarter reached nearly N3.9 billion, the controller disclosed. Excise duties and enforcement activities drove the impressive figure, he explained.
Ogundeyi called on border communities to report suspicious movements to officers. Timely information from residents would strengthen anti-smuggling efforts, he stressed.
He vowed the command would continue pursuing smugglers vigorously. Protecting national revenue and economic interests remains their priority, Ogundeyi assured.
