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

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted hard drugs, expired flour, and other contraband goods worth ₦1.9 billion at the Seme-Krake border in Lagos State, as part of renewed efforts to curb smuggling and safeguard public health.The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the Command’s recent operations. He stated that the seizures were made between August and September following intensified patrols and intelligence-driven enforcement along the border corridors.

According to Bomodi, the intercepted items included packages of hard drugs suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, codeine syrup, and large quantities of expired flour and other unwholesome food items that were being smuggled into the country. He noted that the smugglers, in a bid to evade arrest, concealed the goods in trucks and private vehicles, disguising them as legitimate imports.

He explained that the Command’s officers, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the vehicles at different points along the Seme and Badagry axis. The seizures, he added, were in line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s renewed commitment to preventing the influx of prohibited and harmful substances into the country.

“Between August and September, our officers recorded multiple interceptions of hard drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and expired food items valued at approximately ₦1.9 billion. These arrests underscore our determination to protect the health and safety of Nigerians,” Bomodi said.

He commended the efforts of the Customs Intelligence Unit, Border Drill Patrol Team, and other enforcement units for their vigilance and professionalism. According to him, the seizures would have caused devastating effects on Nigerian communities if they had found their way into local markets.

The Controller added that several suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently undergoing investigation. He assured that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian laws governing the importation and distribution of controlled substances.

Bomodi also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in achieving success at the border, noting that the NCS has been working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other security agencies to strengthen border surveillance.

“Our collaboration with sister agencies has been instrumental in achieving these results. The synergy ensures that our borders are not only secured from economic saboteurs but also from the dangers posed by illegal drugs and expired consumables,” he added.

Speaking further, Bomodi revealed that the Command had recorded significant progress in revenue generation. He said that as of September 2025, the Seme Area Command had collected over ₦3.7 billion in revenue, surpassing its monthly target. He attributed this achievement to improved transparency, the use of technology in cargo clearance, and compliance from legitimate traders.

He stressed that the Command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic while ensuring that the border is not used for illicit activities. “Our goal is to strike a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation. We want to encourage compliance while maintaining vigilance against smuggling,” he said.

The Customs chief, however, expressed concern over the activities of unpatriotic individuals who persist in smuggling goods despite government sensitisation campaigns. He warned smugglers to desist from the illegal act, saying that the NCS would continue to deploy intelligence, surveillance technology, and joint patrols to track and apprehend offenders.

“The era of crude smuggling is over. We have deployed advanced surveillance systems, and our officers are better trained and equipped. Anyone who attempts to subvert the system will be caught and prosecuted,” Bomodi warned.

He also called on community leaders and border residents to support the Customs’ anti-smuggling campaign by providing timely information that could lead to the arrest of offenders. “Security is a collective responsibility. We urge border communities to collaborate with us to make our environment safer and economically viable,” he stated.

In addition to the seizures, the Seme Customs Command also made donations of seized food items—certified fit for consumption by relevant authorities—to orphanages and displaced persons as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Bomodi reiterated that the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, remains focused on border security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation. He said the Service is committed to aligning with the federal government’s economic diversification agenda through enhanced cross-border trade policies and the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He assured that the Service will continue to prioritise the welfare and training of officers to boost morale and operational efficiency, especially in border communities where enforcement challenges remain high.

Concluding his address, Bomodi reaffirmed that the Customs Service will not relent in its efforts to rid Nigeria’s borders of illicit goods and maintain public safety. “Our message to smugglers is clear: we are watching, and we will not hesitate to enforce the law. Our duty is to protect Nigeria’s economy and its people, and we will continue to do so with integrity and dedication,” he declared.

The interception, which has drawn commendations from stakeholders and security agencies, is seen as a major step in curbing the trafficking of illicit drugs and ensuring that only safe, approved goods enter the Nigerian market. The Customs Service vowed to sustain the momentum and strengthen its border operations ahead of the year-end festive period, when smuggling activities typically spike.