By Oluwabunmi Ogunjimi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intensified its crackdown on the smuggling of cannabis and other illicit drugs, disclosing that it seized and handed over 32,412 parcels of illicit drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) between January and August .
The Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, where the command also handed over seized narcotics to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation.
Afeni said the fight against drug smuggling required sustained inter-agency collaboration, stressing that no single security agency could secure the country alone.
He said, “The fight against drug smuggling is a collective responsibility. The Ogun I command, under my leadership remains resolute in its commitment to securing our borders and safeguarding our nation’s future. From January to date, Ogun I command under my watch has handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 Sacks of raw cannabis sativa to NDLEA Idiroko special command.”
According to him, the command had intensified its operations in line with the mandate of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, leveraging intelligence, modern technology and stiffer enforcement measures.
“In line with the mandate of CG Adeniyi Ogun I command under my leadership has stepped up operations. We are leveraging enhanced intelligence, modern technology, and stiffer enforcement measures. We will arrest offenders, seize contraband, and ensure that culprits face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Afeni said the command had recently recorded “an unprecedented wave of constant, back-to-back seizures” of foreign parboiled rice and illicit drugs, noting that smugglers had resorted to sophisticated concealment methods to move hard drugs into Nigeria.
He, however, said the command’s intelligence networks, technological integration and frontline officers had continued to frustrate the activities of the smugglers.
“However, our intelligence networks, technological integration, and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior. We have consistently dismantled their networks, intercepted their goods, and choked their supply lines.
“We will continue to put them on their toes, hit them very hard by making Ogun I command hostile for them,” Afeni said.
Among other items paraded by the command 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, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops and 67 bales of second-hand clothing.
Also intercepted were 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertilizer, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.
The command said the seized items had a total duty-paid value of N3.574 billion.
Afeni described the seized narcotics as more than mere enforcement statistics, saying the drugs could have caused serious damage to communities and young Nigerians if they had reached the intended market.
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crime, and ruined the lives of our youth. Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear, intercept, seize, and arrest. However, the specialized war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone,” he said.
On the health and security implications of Ghana Loud, Afeni said, “Statistics has shown that Ghana Loud is linked to acute psychosis, severe cardiovascular distress, rapid addiction, and long-term mental health degradation.”
He added that the profitability of the illicit drug trade could also strengthen criminal networks.
“The high profit margins of ‘Ghana Loud’ directly fund violent criminal networks, human trafficking, and the illegal proliferation of arms across borders. Traffickers aggressively market these high-potency drugs to young demographics, destabilizing schools and local communities,” he said.
Afeni warned that the smuggling of cannabis and its variants, including Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa, was not a victimless crime.
“The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa are not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods, and undermines our economy.
“Our agencies are fully coordinated, and we will prosecute anyone involved in the importation these illegal substances to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
The Acting Controller also criticised what he described as the cultivation of illicit drugs in neighbouring countries for the Nigerian market.
“It is bitter irony that foreign neighbouring countries happily cultivate these drugs for export, targeting Nigeria’s active market while refusing to consume them themselves. We shall bring them down to their knees,” he declared.
He subsequently formally handed over the seized narcotics to the Commander of the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
“In line with standard operating procedures and legal frameworks, I am formally handing over aforementioned seized narcotics to the Commander of the NDLEA, Idiroko special command for further investigation,” Afeni said.
The Customs chief disclosed that, in addition to the seizures being paraded, the command had from January to date handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
Afeni also disclosed that the command generated N90.066 million in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.
“Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that the Command, for the month of July 2026 collected revenue to the tune of N90million as baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges,” he said.
On exports, he said the command recorded a total export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2.594 billion.
“The primary drivers of this export volume included white talc, crushed thermal coal and CNG,” Afeni said.
He stressed that the Customs Service’s mandate extended beyond revenue collection to protecting domestic industries and the wider economy from illicit trade.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is not just a revenue-generating agency; we are the frontline shield protecting our domestic economy. We will not sit by and watch economic saboteurs dismantle the investments made by our local manufacturers,” he said.
