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..hands over truck, exhibit, suspect to Ndlea
Nigeria Customs Service,Ogun Area 1 command upped its fight against illicit drug smuggling across the border as the Command intercepted 1450 kilograms of marijuana hidden in a Mercedes Benz Truck.
The Controller of the Area1 Command, Comptroller Godwin Otunla disclosed this on Thursday at a Press briefing held at the Sentry Post, Idiroko.
Otunla stated that the Command recorded yet another remarkable success by meticulously deploying strategies tailored to counter emerging smuggling trends, the operatives achieved this feat within a matter of days.
"On Sunday, 29 June 2025, at about 0005 hours, our operatives, during an intelligence-driven operation, intercepted a Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number EPE-595-LA. The vehicle was driven by one Mr. William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Mobil, Challenge area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
"Upon initial examination, the truck was suspected to be conveying prohibited items. Further inspection revealed that several parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana, had been ingeniously concealed within fabricated compartments — also referred to as a false bottom — of the truck.
"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 amount to N172,920,000".
He described the successful interception of this large quantity of illicit drugs as a significant step in preventing the circulation of the harmful substances in the communities , especially among our youth and in safeguarding national security.
Otunla also reiterated the Command’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and cross-border crimes.
Speaking further "having secured the approval of the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs (CGC) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, I will now hand over the seized cannabis and the suspect to the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.
"Permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate the CGC on his welldeserved election as the Chairperson of the WCO Council, comprising 186 member countries. This is a prestigious global recognition of his visionary leadership and commitment to reform and modernization in the Nigeria Customs Service.
"I am also pleased to announce that the Command has just taken delivery of 13 operational vehicles, generously allocated by the CGC to boost our operational capacity. We are deeply grateful to him and the entire management team for their continued support and encouragement".
In his response, the Area Commander, National Drug law Enforcement Agency, Special Command, Idiroko,Commander Ekundayo Williams said" Now that the culprit has been handed over to us, we will carry out thorough investigation and the culprit will be brought to book".
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