Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against drug smuggling with the interception of a truck carrying 1,025,000 tablets of Tramadoland 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup (100ml each) along the Okada–Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State.
Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Bishir Balogun, who confirmed the development, said the illicit consignment, valued at a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.056 billion, was seized through precise intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement on March 15, 2026.
According to him, the driver attempted to evade arrest after officers flagged down the vehicle.
“He jumped out of the truck and fled into the bush, abandoning the vehicle,” Balogun disclosed.
A thorough search of the truck uncovered the drugs expertly concealed among legitimate goods in a bid to escape detection.
Comptroller Balogun described the interception as proof of the Nigeria Customs Service’s unrelenting resolve to combat the smuggling of dangerous substances such as Tramadol and Codeine, key drivers of drug abuse, insecurity, and social decay across the country.
“This is a strong message to smugglers and criminal syndicates: desist from these illicit ventures. Our operations are increasingly intelligence-driven, and we will continue to protect public health and national security,” he warned.
He added that the seized drugs are currently in safe custody, while investigations are ongoing to track down and prosecute everyone connected to the criminal shipment.