By correspondent in Lagos.
A major smuggling syndicate was dismantled in Lagos as operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, intercepted contraband worth N1.5 billion and arrested four suspects linked to the criminal network.
Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, revealed the details during a press briefing on Friday, following a three-week covert operation that spanned from April 23 to May 16.
The suspects, now in custody, were allegedly involved in trafficking large volumes of prohibited goods including narcotics, foreign rice, and second-hand vehicles. The illicit items were seized across key smuggling routes in Lagos and its environs.
According to Shuaibu, the operation yielded seven 20-foot containers loaded with unauthorized goods. Among them were containers stuffed with used tyres, illegally imported vehicles, foreign parboiled rice, and large consignments of new clothing, footwear, and bags.
More alarmingly, 82 packs of the banned pharmaceutical Tramadol and 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa were intercepted, both classified as controlled substances under Nigerian law. These were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
NDLEA’s Festac Area Commander, Mr. Abdul Maiyaki, commended the Customs unit for the handover and confirmed that the drugs had been traced to organized crime elements operating within Lagos.
“This collaboration is key in disrupting supply chains that fuel insecurity, addiction, and violence in our communities,” Maiyaki stated.
The operation also netted 4,085 bags of foreign rice (roughly seven trailer loads), 15 foreign-used vehicles, 290 jerry cans of petrol, and multiple bales of second-hand clothing—all smuggled in violation of import regulations.
Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized that the crackdown was part of a shift toward intelligence-driven operations, replacing outdated stop-and-search tactics with targeted enforcement.
“These suspects are part of a larger network involved in illegal trade, which undermines the economy and public safety. We are working with other agencies to ensure full prosecution and to expose the masterminds,” Shuaibu said.
He noted that in addition to the seizures, the command generated N20.7 million from auctioning perishables and irregular imports.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) also received seized drugs from Customs. Shuiba Muhammad, Chairman of the agency’s task force, warned that drug smuggling directly contributes to rising insecurity and criminality across Nigeria.
Customs urged citizens to report suspicious activities and affirmed its commitment to dismantling smuggling rings and protecting national interests through sustained inter-agency collaboration.
The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
