By Peter Omopo
28th August 2025 | Kaduna
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna, has intercepted 185 blocks of Cannabis Sativa valued at N48.5 million, alongside other contraband worth N220.4 million, the agency said on Thursday.
According to Chief Superintendent Saidu Nuruddeen, Public Relations Officer of the unit, the seizures were made during operations on 21 August at approximately 3:30 a.m.
“Acting on intelligence, operatives stopped a vehicle along the Zaria flyover on the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway and intercepted the contraband,” Nuruddeen said.
A male suspect was arrested after authorities discovered nine sacks containing 185 compressed blocks of cannabis, weighing 89.6kg. The drugs, with an estimated duty-paid value of N48,562,500, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
In a separate operation, the Customs unit also intercepted three vehicles carrying smuggled goods, including:
- 456 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice
- 8,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
- 178 bales of second-hand clothes
- 225 cartons of spaghetti
- 107 used tyres
- 37 electric shockers (tasers)
The total duty-paid value of these contraband items was reported as N220,457,336.48.
The Comptroller of the unit, Aliyu Alkali, commended the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to combating smuggling, illegal trade, and the inflow of uncustomed goods into Nigeria.
“These seizures are part of ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s economy and safeguard national security,” Alkali stated.
