Nigeria Customs Service Seizes N267 Million Worth of Contraband, Strengthens Anti-Smuggling Efforts

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, has intercepted a massive haul of contraband items valued at N267 million in February 2025. The seized goods 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
• 203 pieces of used tyres

A Bold Crackdown on Smuggling

Displaying the confiscated items at the Joint Border Post, ECOWAS Complex, Seme, Customs Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, stated that the seizures were in violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCSA 23). The operation underscores the NCS’s unwavering commitment to tackling illegal trade and strengthening border security.

Oramalugo also announced that the Command generated N743.7 million in revenue during the period under review, a testament to the agency’s efforts to block financial leakages and ensure maximum revenue collection for national development.

Boosting Legal Trade and National Security

In addition to the seizures, the Seme Command facilitated the export of 28,395.293 metric tonnes of produce—equivalent to 806 trucks—worth N7.85 billion ($4.99 million) in Free on Board (FOB) value. Under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), the Command collected N39.26 million in fees and a total surcharge of N2.43 million.

Oramalugo reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to tightening security, working with community leaders, and leveraging intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling. He warned smugglers and their accomplices that illicit activities would not be tolerated and urged them to engage in legitimate trade.

Collaboration with NDLEA to Combat Drug Trafficking

As part of inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) was officially handed over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, Fingeron Owen Dinneys.

Upon receiving the illicit substances, Dinneys pledged to intensify investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible for drug trafficking. He acknowledged the challenges of capturing traffickers, emphasizing that criminals rarely leave themselves vulnerable to immediate arrest.

“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 difficulties, Dinneys highlighted the NDLEA’s ongoing success in removing dangerous substances from circulation. While he remained cautious in sharing details about past arrests and ongoing investigations, he reassured the public that the agency remains committed to cracking down on drug traffickers.

The NCS’s proactive measures and strengthened collaboration with security agencies reinforce Nigeria’s efforts to curb smuggling, enhance border security, and foster economic growth. As the fight against illicit trade intensifies, stakeholders hope to see a significant reduction in smuggling activities and an increase in lawful commerce across the country.