The Tincan Island Command of the Nigerian Customs Service has seized a container of Cannabis Sativa that was imported from Canada, with an estimated street value exceeding N3 billion.
Comptroller General Wale Adeniyi revealed that the seizure also included several cartons of cough syrup.
This significant confiscation comes on the heels of another major operation where the Customs Service intercepted smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, valued at N106 million within a week.
On Thursday, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, disclosed that a total of 26,950 liters of petroleum products worth about N19 million had been intercepted while being smuggled to the Republic of Benin.
This announcement was made at a press briefing held at the Ogun State Command Office in Abeokuta.
Ejibunu highlighted that smuggling activities contribute to artificial scarcity and rising prices of petroleum products in Nigeria.
The intercepted petroleum products, seized within Lagos and Ogun states over two weeks, included 978 kegs of 25 liters each, totaling 26,950 liters.
The Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, established the special squad, Operation Whirlwind, two weeks ago to intensify efforts against the smuggling of petroleum products. Within this short period, the team successfully intercepted PMS worth N19 million in the Zone A axis, which covers Lagos and Ogun states.
Ejibunu underscored the severe economic impact of smuggling and called for collaboration with other agencies to combat these activities.
He detailed various seizures: on May 31, 2024, 121 kegs of PMS (3,025 litres) were intercepted in Lagos State; on June 7, 2024, 77 drums (15,400 liters) were seized in Ogun State; and additional quantities were confiscated on June 8, 2024, along Owode/Atan Road and Owode/Ilaro Road.
The petrol stations involved in these smuggling operations have been sealed, and their owners will face prosecution. The seized products, due to their inflammable nature, will be condemned and auctioned soon. Ejibunu urged those involved in sabotaging the economy to desist or face the full force of the law.