Customs Seize N692m Worth of Illicit Drugs In Katsina State

The Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Command, has intercepted illicit drugs worth about N690 million, as well as two vehicles conveying the exhibits.

The State NCS Controller, Mr Idriss Abba-Aji, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Katsina while addressing newsmen on the arrest and seizures.

Abba-Aji said that operatives of the NCS seized 14 cartons of Tramadol valued at N650 million and Fragbaline capsules worth N28 million, hidden in two different vehicles.


According to him, the seizures were made within two weeks, adding that cannabis sativa worth about N15 million was also confiscated by the operatives.

“Recently, we noticed that our borders are used for drug smuggling. Vehicles are cleverly used to confuse security personnel encountering them.

“You may think such vehicles are conveying dignitaries. The public must understand that during our operations we stop all available vehicles to ensure checks.

“People complain about customs disturbing commuters. Drug traffickers will never use lorries or open vehicles. They conceal drugs inside vehicles designed to appear ordinary,” the controller said.

The NCS controller further explained that operatives cannot detect such concealments without stopping and searching, stressing that luck favoured them in confiscating two vehicles on different occasions.

He added that each vehicle conveyed large quantities of illicit drugs, suspected to be distributed within Katsina and neighbouring states if not intercepted.

Abba-Aji reiterated that drug abuse fuels banditry in the region. To help curb the menace, the command has intensified its enforcement operations.