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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it intercepted parcels of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana), packs of Tramadol, kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) and bags of foreign parboiled rice and other contraband items worth N267 million at Seme-Krake border.
The seized items include, 444 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), 181 packs of Tramadol, 600 bottles of Codeine syrup (100ml each), 240 kegs of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,809 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 17 sacks of used shoes, 56 bales of used clothes and 203 pieces of used tyres.
Displaying the items to journalist at the Joint Border Post, ECOWAS Complex, Seme, Customs Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, said the items, which were seized in February 2025 with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N267 million, is in violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCSA 23).
Oramalugo also announced a revenue generation of N743.7 million in the period under review, noting that it underscores the NCS commitment to blocking leakages and ensuring maximum revenue collection for national development.
Additionally, Oramalugo said the Command facilitated the export of 28,395.293 metric tonnes of produce, equivalent to 806 trucks, with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N7.85 billion (approximately $4.99 million). He said fees collected under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) amounted to N39.26 million, with a total surcharge of N2.43 million.
The Area Controller emphasised that the Command remains committed to tightening security, engaging community leaders, and deploying intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators that illegal activities would not be tolerated, urging them to switch to legitimate trade. He reaffirmed the Seme Command’s commitment to national security, economic growth, and trade facilitation, stating that the proactive measures taken would lead to even greater success in the coming months.
The CAC handed over the seized Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration.
Receiving the illicit drugs, the NDLEA Commander, Fingeron Owen Dinneys, vowed to intensify investigations into the latest seizure of illicit substances, with a commitment to identifying and apprehending those responsible for drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The NDLEA chief acknowledged the challenges of apprehending drug traffickers, noting that criminals rarely leave themselves vulnerable for immediate arrests.
“It’s not every time that you go out and you get suspects. Definitely, they will not be there waiting for you to come and apprehend them. They know the consequences if they are caught,” he explained.
Despite the hurdles, Dinneys highlighted the success of the agency’s efforts in removing dangerous substances from circulation. When pressed for details on past arrests and ongoing investigations related to previous drug busts, Dinneys remained cautious, but assured that the NDLEA remains committed to pursuing those involved in drug trafficking.
