Customs intercepts N3.9bn cocaine concealed inside bus in Lagos

In a statement by the spokesman of the command, Hussain Abdullahi, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP, the command added that a sizeable amount of petroleum products packaged in sacks were also intercepted during the anti-smuggling efforts of the command.

Abdullahi said, “The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has initiated offensive patrol against the smuggling of petroleum products along the creeks within the Seme and Badagry axis. This renewed effort led to the interception of large quantities of petroleum products packaged in sacks on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.

“The aforementioned items were successfully evacuated to the command premises where an examination was conducted. 1,065 jerrycans of petroleum products, equivalent to 31,950 litres were discovered with Duty Paid Value of N10,041,198.

“In the same vein, officers and men of the command while conducting stop and search along Seme-Badagry Expressway intercepted 11 parcels of substance suspected to be cocaine in a Ford Transit bus conveying religious books. Also, one suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure.”

While displaying the seizures, the Customs Area Controller, Mr Bello Mohammed Jibo, explained that the substance was intercepted at about 9:00a.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022.

“Consequently, the substance was subjected to test and verification by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and was found to be cocaine weighing 11.913kg,” he stated.