The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, Owerri, handed over prohibited and controlled drugs valued at N2.638bn to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday. The seizure, disclosed in a statement released the same day, included 1,126,060 tramadol tablets, 21,245 bottles of codeine syrup, 685 sacks of cannabis sativa, three wraps of Scottish loud, eleven wraps of Ghanaian loud, and five wraps of Colos. The handover occurred in Imo State and was led by Customs Area Controller Bashir Balogun. He stated the contraband was intercepted through intelligence gathering, surveillance, and the professionalism of customs officers. Balogun described the transfer as both a procedural requirement and a demonstration of inter-agency collaboration. He emphasized that the NCS remains committed to preventing illicit drugs from entering circulation. The substances pose significant public health risks, especially to youths, and contribute to addiction and criminal activity, according to Balogun. He credited the success to the vigilance of customs personnel and acknowledged NDLEA's role in managing seized narcotics. Balogun also urged the public to support law enforcement by sharing actionable intelligence.
Bashir Balogun highlights inter-agency synergy while admitting drugs worth over N2.6bn still penetrated Nigeria's borders under customs watch. If such a large consignment passed through Owerri, how effective are current border controls? The seizure suggests existing measures failed to stop the initial entry. Nigerians in Imo and beyond remain exposed to the very substances authorities claim to be containing.
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