Customs Seize N48.5m Worth of Cannabis, N220m in Smuggled Goods in Kaduna

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 185 blocks of Cannabis Sativa valued at over N48.5 million, along with other contraband items worth N220.4 million in separate operations across Kaduna State.

The seizures were made on August 21 at around 3:30 a.m., according to a statement released in Kaduna on Thursday by Chief Superintendent of Customs Saidu Nuruddeen, the Public Relations Officer of the unit, on behalf of the Comptroller.

“Acting on intelligence, operatives stopped a vehicle along the Zaria flyover on the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway and intercepted the contraband,” Nuruddeen said.

Inside the vehicle, officers discovered nine sacks containing 185 compressed blocks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 89.6 kg, with an estimated duty paid value (DPV) of N48,562,500. A male suspect was arrested at the scene.

“Both the suspect and the exhibits have been handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution in line with the spirit of inter-agency collaboration,” Nuruddeen added.

In a separate operation, the unit also intercepted three vehicles transporting smuggled items, including:

• 456 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice
• 8,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
• 178 bales of second-hand clothing
• 225 cartons of spaghetti
• 107 used tyres
• 37 pieces of electric shockers (tasers)

The total duty paid value of these items was put at N220,457,336.48.

Comptroller Aliyu Alkali of FOU Zone ‘B’ praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and ongoing support, noting that the operations reflect the service’s intensified efforts to combat smuggling and illegal trade.

He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and enhancing national security through continuous enforcement activities.

“These seizures are a testament to the resolve of the Nigeria Customs Service to clamp down on smuggling and ensure compliance with trade and import regulations,” Alkali said.