The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recovered cocaine valued at N2.35 billion from a 71-year-old suspect along a major smuggling route.
The seizure was disclosed on Tuesday in Lagos by Comptroller Gambo Aliyu during the handover of the illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The interception occurred along the Lagos-Abidjan connection, also known as the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, a major economic and infrastructure link connecting five West African countries—Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
According to Aliyu, officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying 6.35kg of cocaine and arrested a 71-year-old Nigerian in connection with the seizure.
He added that the illicit drug was subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu further noted that the unit is strengthening its operations through digital surveillance tools, including geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drones, and predictive analytics, to better track and disrupt smuggling routes.
The N2.35 billion worth of cocaine was not the only seizure recorded by the agency, as it also intercepted a range of illicit drugs and contraband goods within the same period.
The operations, carried out across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, led to the foiling of 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks and the recovery of N97.7 million from underpaid duties.
Commending the efforts of the customs operatives, NDLEA Commander Ibrahim Kabiru praised their professionalism and collaboration, stating:
Seizures of contraband goods and illicit drugs are becoming increasingly frequent, as reports by Nairametrics indicate a growing scale of enforcement activities across Nigeria.
When considering that the Nigeria Customs Service is not the only enforcement agency, the scale becomes even more concerning.
Just last week, operatives of the NDLEA raided three illicit drug warehouses in Lagos, recovering opioids valued at N16.9 billion. Although these seizures were successful and commendable, they also highlight the scale and point to the growing prevalence of the crime.