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Hands over drugs, driver to NDLEA
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted and seized 2,693 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, smuggled through the Idiroko border into the country.
Briefing newsmen on the seizure on Thursday at the NCS Sentry Post, Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the Ogun 1 Area Command, Godwin Otunla, said the illicit substances, which weighed 1,450kg, were concealed inside a false compartment fabricated at the bottom of a Mercedes Benz truck.
Otunla, who described the seizure as another remarkable success by the command, said the operatives achieved the feat by meticulously deploying strategies tailored to counter emerging smuggling trends.
The Customs boss explained that operatives of the command, on June 29, 2025, at about 00:05 hours during an intelligence-driven operation, intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number EPE-595-LA.
While putting the Duty Paid Value (DPV) on the seized illicit substances at N172,920,000, he said that the truck was suspected to be conveying prohibited items, but further inspection revealed that several parcels of Cannabis Sativa had been ingeniously concealed within fabricated compartments, also referred to as a false bottom, of the truck.
He disclosed that the vehicle was driven by one Mr William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian and resident of Mobil, Challenge Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
“In accordance with Section 226 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, 2023, the truck was immediately moved to the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko for further investigation. A comprehensive physical examination revealed a total of 2,693 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,450kg. Other enabling provisions of the NCS Act 2023 that guided this operation include Sections 6 and 250. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizure amounts to N172,920,000,” Otunla stated.[](https://tribuneonlineng.com/customs-seizes-2693-parcels-of-cannabis-sativa-worth-n172m-in-ogun/)
He, however, noted that the successful interception of the large quantity of illicit drugs was a significant step in preventing the circulation of harmful substances in communities as well as safeguarding national security.
Otunla, who later handed the seized drugs and the suspect over to the officials of the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, reiterated his command’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and cross-border crimes.
In his response, the Area Commander, NDLEA Special Command, Idiroko, Ekundayo Williams, commended Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS for its sustained fight against smuggling, particularly drugs.
He assured that the suspect will be charged to court after a thorough investigation by the NDLEA.