The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized contraband goods valued at over ₦6.77 billion within 41 days, including more than 10,000 parcels of cannabis indica (“Ghana Loud”), through intensified intelligence operations and inter-agency collaboration across Ogun State.

Acting Area Controller, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed that the operation led to 73 seizures, including 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica weighing about 4,627kg with a street value exceeding ₦5 billion, and 26 sacks of cannabis sativa.

Other items intercepted include 2,685 kegs of 25-litre vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 66 bales of second-hand clothing, 205 packs of footwear, 77 cartons of Analgin injection without NAFDAC registration, 50 cartons of expired Maggi seasoning cubes, cartons of basmati rice, organic honey, diesel, spaghetti, macaroni, handbags, and two used vehicles.

Afeni added that six live pangolins were handed over to the appropriate agency, while 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa had earlier been transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in March.

He warned that rising cannabis abuse is linked to crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, terrorism and banditry, noting that 26,002 parcels have been removed from circulation since January.

The command also intercepted a DAF truck loaded with 2,185 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil on May 5, and a Volvo truck on May 7 carrying unregistered pharmaceuticals, expired food items, rice, oil, footwear and used clothes.

Between March 16 and May 12, the command generated ₦125.43 million through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products, and facilitated exports of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at over ₦1 billion FOB.

Afeni said the command is deploying advanced geospatial technology to strengthen intelligence-led border monitoring, while maintaining collaboration with agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, DSS, NIS and the Nigeria Police to combat smuggling and trans-border crimes.