The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two vehicles carrying illegal drugs valued at around N690 million.
NCS Katsina Controller, Idriss Abba-Aji, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the arrests and seizures. Operatives recovered 14 cartons of Tramadol worth N650 million and Fragbaline capsules valued at N28 million, both concealed in separate vehicles. Cannabis sativa worth approximately N15 million was also confiscated.
Abba-Aji explained that the seizures occurred within two weeks and highlighted the clever methods traffickers use to evade detection. “Vehicles are often designed to appear ordinary, making it difficult for security personnel to identify illicit cargo. During operations, we stop and check all vehicles to ensure thorough enforcement,” he said.
He stressed that thorough inspections are essential, as operatives rely on stopping and searching vehicles to uncover hidden drugs. Each intercepted vehicle contained large quantities of substances that could have been distributed within Katsina and neighbouring states if not seized.
“This seizure, mainly involving 14 cartons of Tramadol worth about N650 million, is the largest of its kind in our command,” Abba-Aji noted.
The Controller also warned that drug abuse is a major factor driving banditry in the region and said the command has intensified operations to combat both smuggling and its societal impact. One suspect was arrested alongside a vehicle but later released on administrative bail.
Other Recent Customs Operations
In a separate operation, the NCS Seme Area Command intercepted five trucks carrying 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, cannabis, and other goods valued at N1.27 billion, following intelligence along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
Additionally, 25 containers of pharmaceutical products and counterfeit substances worth N9.23 billion were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos. Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi described the haul as evidence of a sophisticated criminal network exploiting regulatory gaps to undermine national health security.
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