The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, has intercepted a large consignment of illicit drugs valued at N1.056 billion in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement released on Saturday, the zone described the seizure as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.
According to the unit’s Customs Area Controller, Bashir Balogun, the operation was driven by strategic intelligence and coordinated enforcement.
“On March 15, 2026, operatives intercepted a truck loaded with over two million tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of barcadin codeine syrup (100ml each) along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City,” Mr Balogun explained.
He confirmed that the total duty-paid value of the seized drugs stands at N1.056 billion.
Mr Balogun disclosed that when the truck was signalled to stop, the driver initially attempted to evade the officers. He later parked abruptly, jumped out of the vehicle, and fled into nearby bushland.
A subsequent search revealed that the drugs had been cleverly concealed among legitimate goods in an effort to evade detection.
The controller stressed that the operation underscores the service’s unwavering commitment to curbing the smuggling of prohibited substances, which fuel drug addiction and crime across Nigeria.
He issued a stern warning to smugglers and criminal networks, urging them to abandon illegal activities. He reiterated that the service would continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to safeguard public health and national security.
The seized consignment remains in customs custody, and investigations are under way to apprehend those responsible for the shipment.
