The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica and other hard drugs in the state as part of intensified efforts to curb smuggling and illicit drug trafficking along the country’s borders. The seizures, which included other smuggled goods with a total duty-paid value of N3.57 billion, were made between June and August. The acting Area Comptroller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this at a press briefing at the command headquarters in Idiroko. Afeni said the command had intensified operations across the Ogun border corridors to protect local industries, safeguard national security and make the routes increasingly hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers. Among the seized items were 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 50kg each, 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertilizer and 67 bales of second-hand clothing. Other seized items included 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, 2,674 pieces of new trousers and shorts, 3,760 pieces of new tops, 480 cartons of drinks, 53 packages of oats, 85 fire extinguishers, 127 new purses and three packages of surgical shoes. The Customs boss described smuggling as “economic sabotage,” saying it was undermining local industries, destroying jobs and threatening food security. He particularly warned against the consumption of smuggled foreign rice, noting that some of the products were re-bagged under unhygienic conditions or stored for years beyond their safe consumption period. Afeni handed over the 6,035 parcels of seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stressing that illicit drugs have been associated with acute psychosis, addiction and violent crime, while proceeds from the trade could be used to finance other criminal activities, including arms and human trafficking.
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