The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3.24 billion across the South-West region of the country.

The seizures recorded include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg and 240,000 tablets of Tramadol.

Other seizures are 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled items.

The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, while disclosing this yesterday in Lagos, said the operation, anchored on sharpened risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks, and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations, underscores the Unit’s unrelenting commitment to protecting local industries, securing government revenue, and keeping Nigeria’s trade corridors free of contraband.

He also attributed the successes recorded during the period to enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.

Aliyu noted that the interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing, and other prohibited goods would contribute to protecting domestic industries, supporting national food security, and safeguarding legitimate government revenue.

Similarly, he said the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances contributes to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians.

According to him, the recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

He described the N729 million revenue recovery as encouraging and reaffirmed the Unit’s determination to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations, and other forms of customs fraud.

The Comptroller emphasised that the Unit’s enforcement activities are being undertaken within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation.

He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud, and other forms of economic sabotage.