FOU Zone A intercepts N3.9bn worth of drugs, hazardous chemicals
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted narcotics and hazardous chemicals worth nearly N4 billion in street value.
The burst, is one of the latest in its effort to make the street safe from the activities of drug traffickers and environmental criminals.
At a formal handover ceremony held Thursday at the Unit’s headquarters on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Ikeja, the Area Controller, Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu, handed over the seizures to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA.
Comptroller Aliyu noted that, the seizures were the product of weeks of intelligence-driven operations along border corridors, highways, and other strategic flashpoints within the South-West.
The haul handed over to NDLEA included:
– 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic Cannabis Sativa weighing 3,116.9kg
– 3.45kg of ground Cannabis “SKUNK”, 1kg granular SKUNK, and 0.35kg in small packs
– 26.1kg wrapped in 49 parcels of SKUNK
– 0.35kg of Crystal Methamphetamine
– 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream Cigars
– 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of Tramadol Tablets, 100mg and 225mg
– 1,200 Hypnox Tablets 1mg
– 97 bottles* of Codeine Syrup
The total estimated street value: N3,951,085,000. Three suspects arrested in connection with the drugs were also handed over for prosecution.
In a separate operation, officers intercepted 4 cylinders of high-grade Mercury, weighing 34.5kg each. The chemical, used in illegal small-scale gold mining, is a major environmental hazard and is regulated under the Minamata Convention.
The Mercury was handed over to NESREA for safe disposal and further investigation.
“Today’s event is a practical demonstration of the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic well-being of Nigerians,” Comptroller Aliyu said even as he described the operation as proof of Customs’ commitment to national security and public health.
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