The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a 71-year-old man in Lagos for allegedly conveying 6.35kg of cocaine valued at N2.35bn in a Toyota Highlander, while intercepting contraband worth over N5.5bn within eight weeks through intensified anti-smuggling operations.
The service, through its Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, disclosed this on Tuesday during a briefing where seized items were presented.
The Customs Area Controller, Gambo Aliyu, said the suspect was arrested along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor during a targeted operation.
“The officers arrested a 71-year-old man conveying 6.35kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of N2.35bn,” Aliyu said.
He added that the unit also intercepted goods with a Duty Paid Value exceeding N5.5bn across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states.
Items seized include 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 328 bales of used clothing, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and several cartons of poultry products and spaghetti.
Aliyu disclosed that the command launched a special operation, Operation Hawk, leading to the seizure of 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,540kg.
He also revealed that N97.7m was recovered from underpaid duties within the period.
The seized drugs have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while hazardous materials will be transferred to relevant authorities.
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