A routine enforcement operation took a dramatic turn in Lagos after a 71-year-old man was caught with hard drugs hidden in a vehicle.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, confirmed the arrest of the suspect with 6.35kg of cocaine. The drugs were concealed in a Toyota Highlander and valued at about ₦2.35bn.
However, the discovery was made during a broader operation targeting smuggling activities along major corridors.
Speaking in Ikeja on Tuesday, May 5, the Customs Area Controller, Gambo Aliyu, addressed journalists while displaying the seized items. He revealed that the cocaine was intercepted along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
“The officers also arrested a 71-year-old man driving a Toyota Highlander conveying 6.35kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of N2.35bn,” Aliyu said.
Moreover, the operation formed part of a wider strategy to disrupt illegal trade networks.
In addition, Aliyu disclosed that the unit intercepted goods worth over ₦5.5bn within eight weeks. A total of 473 smuggling attempts were also foiled during the same period.
“Other items seized include 31,705 litres of premium motor spirit, 1,188 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 531 cartons of poultry products, 485 used tyres, and 69 cartons of spaghetti,” he added.
Furthermore, large quantities of foreign rice were seized during intensified patrols. The unit recovered 8,794 bags, equivalent to about 15 trailer loads.
Meanwhile, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 refrigerator compressors, and 328 bales of used clothing were also intercepted. These items were seized across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states.
The controller explained that anti-smuggling efforts have been strengthened through technology. Therefore, tools like satellite tracking, drone monitoring, and predictive analytics are now being deployed.
In a related development, four cylinders of mercury weighing 80kg each were intercepted.
Aliyu also disclosed that a special anti-drug operation, codenamed ‘Operation Hawk’, was launched. Under this initiative, 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,540kg were seized.
The unit recovered about ₦97.7m from underpaid duties through enforcement measures.
The seized drugs have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action.
