Customs Intercept N1.9bn Hard Drugs, Expired Flour at Seme Border

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has intercepted a consignment of hard drugs, expired flour, and other contraband valued at N1.99 billion between September 1 and October 9, 2025.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Seme, Badagry, Lagos State.

He said officers seized 10,000 bags of expired flour imported from Egypt, concealed in five trucks, with a duty-paid value of about N1.2 billion. Adenuga warned that the products posed serious health risks had they entered local markets.

In addition, the Command confiscated 1,104 parcels of cannabis sativa, 120 packs of tramadol, 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, and five used vehicles.

Two suspects arrested in connection with the drugs have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

Adenuga said the seizures were part of intensified operations along the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, a major West African trade route that has become a hotspot for cross-border smuggling.

He described smuggling as “economic sabotage that deprives the nation of revenue and endangers public health,” noting that proceeds from such illicit trade could otherwise support small businesses and create jobs.

On legitimate trade, Adenuga announced that the Command facilitated non-oil exports totalling 53,989 metric tonnes within the period, with a Free-on-Board value of N7.9 billion and an export supervision fee of N39.8 million.

He added that the Command generated N1.5 billion in September, representing a 182 per cent increase from the N531.4 million recorded in August.

“The Command has simplified procedures, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and ensured that legitimate traders enjoy the benefits of customs modernisation. Our focus on trade facilitation has reduced transaction costs, streamlined processes, and ultimately increased revenue,” he said.

The Customs chief commended the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Badagry, for its continued collaboration in intercepting smuggled goods through the waterways.

Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to balancing its duties of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security through enhanced intelligence and technology-driven border management.