Customs Intercepts N690m Worth of Illicit Drugs in Katsina

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling drive with the interception of illicit drugs valued at N690 million in Katsina State. The development, which highlights the Service’s growing efforts to combat cross-border crimes, is seen as a crucial step in the wider fight against narcotics proliferation, insecurity, and public health risks.

Speaking on the development, the Controller of the Katsina Area Command, Mr. Idriss Abba-Aji, said the seizure was made possible through credible intelligence and coordinated patrols mounted along key smuggling routes in the state. He disclosed that the consignment, which contained a large quantity of psychotropic drugs, was intercepted before it could infiltrate Nigerian markets.

Abba-Aji stressed that the command has redoubled its vigilance because of Katsina’s peculiar position as a frontline border state with the Niger Republic. According to him, smugglers often take advantage of difficult terrains, illegal routes, and community collaborators to ferry contraband across, but the renewed intelligence-led operations have significantly improved interception rates.

“This operation marks a major victory not just for Customs but for Nigeria’s collective security and public health. Illicit drugs are the hidden drivers of violent crimes, banditry, and terrorism in our region. By blocking their entry, we are saving lives and reducing the capacity of criminal networks,” he said.

A breakdown of the haul revealed thousands of cartons of tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, and other dangerous psychotropic substances classified by health authorities as addictive and destructive to the human body. Customs officials warned that if the consignment had successfully entered circulation, it could have wreaked havoc on young people, already identified as the most vulnerable group to drug abuse.

Medical experts in Katsina have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing cases of drug-induced psychiatric conditions and violent behavior among youths. A senior consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the seizure as a “lifesaving intervention.” He added: “Substances like tramadol and codeine are fueling a silent epidemic. They are cheap, addictive, and widely misused, leading to mental illness, domestic violence, and even criminality. Stopping their spread is as critical as fighting armed bandits.”

The seized items, according to Abba-Aji, have a duty-paid value of N690 million, further underscoring the scale and profitability of the illicit trade. He said the command has commenced investigations to uncover the cartel behind the shipment, promising that suspects would be prosecuted in line with Nigerian laws.

In addition to the drug haul, the Katsina Command also recorded other seizures within the period, including smuggled rice, vegetable oil, second-hand clothing, and vehicles. However, Abba-Aji emphasised that the drug bust was the most significant due to its direct link with insecurity.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) welcomed the development and commended the synergy between agencies. An NDLEA official said, “Every successful interception of narcotics weakens criminal syndicates that rely on drug sales to fund their operations. We must deepen collaboration with Customs and other security agencies to cut off these supply chains completely.”

Civil society organisations in Katsina also praised the operation, warning that the community is already grappling with rising cases of drug abuse and cannot afford to let smugglers succeed. They urged security agencies to increase surveillance along border corridors and called for more community engagement to discourage residents from aiding smugglers.

On its part, the Customs Service reiterated its determination to intensify operations by adopting advanced surveillance technologies such as drones, scanners, and data-driven patrols. Abba-Aji also appealed to residents for support, urging them to report suspicious movements of goods and assuring them of protection under whistleblower policies.

Experts say drug smuggling is not just a criminal offence but also an economic and security issue. Apart from depriving the government of legitimate revenue, narcotics trade fuels criminal economies, undermines national stability, and destroys human capital. Analysts have called for stiffer penalties for offenders, tighter border management, and greater investment in rehabilitation for drug-dependent youths.

For the federal government, the Katsina drug seizure aligns with its broader strategy of strengthening border controls to checkmate smuggling, terrorism, and transnational crimes. Authorities say similar operations will be intensified in other border states, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, and Adamawa, where smuggling networks remain active.

Abba-Aji noted that the seized drugs have been handed over to the NDLEA for proper custody and destruction in accordance with the law. He added that the command would continue to support inter-agency efforts aimed at dismantling smuggling syndicates and safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.

The seizure has drawn commendations from several quarters, but stakeholders insist that sustained action is necessary. They argue that seizures alone are not enough; the government must also ensure transparency in handling intercepted goods, prosecute culprits, and strengthen demand-side reduction strategies through education and rehabilitation.

As Nigeria intensifies its war against narcotics, the interception of drugs worth N690 million in Katsina sends a clear signal to traffickers that the borders will not remain easy routes for contraband. For many, the operation is not only a Customs success story but also a critical intervention that protects lives, secures communities, and reaffirms the government’s commitment to fighting insecurity at its roots.