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Customs FOU Zone C Transfers N2.63bn Drug Haul to NDLEA in Owerri
Customs FOU Zone C Transfers N2.63bn Drug Haul to NDLEA in Owerri
Inter-agency synergy deepens as seized narcotics are kept off Nigeria’s streets and waterways
By Ighoyota Onaibre, Waterways News Correspondent
The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has formally handed over a large consignment of prohibited and highly controlled narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with a Duty Paid Value of over N2.63 billion.
The handover ceremony was conducted at the unit’s headquarters in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, by the Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, who formally transferred the seized items to NDLEA’s Deputy Zonal Commander, DC Bani MacLean Monday.
The seized consignments include tramadol tablets, Barcadin Codeine syrup, Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp), Ghanaian loud, Scottish loud, colos, and other illicit substances. Specifically, the items handed over comprise 1,126,060 tramadol tablets, 21,245 bottles of codeine syrups, 666 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, 19 wraps of cannabis sativa, three wraps of Scottish loud, 11 wraps of Ghanaian loud, and five wraps of Colos and other controlled drugs.
Comptroller Balogun disclosed that the items were intercepted through strategic credible intelligence deployment, diligent surveillance and a high level of professionalism by Customs officers who remain resolute in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. Speaking at the handover, he emphasised the gravity of the drugs on society, noting that these substances, when abused, contribute to addiction, high-profile criminal activities, and social instability.
He described the exercise as more than routine protocol. “This handover is not just a procedural exercise; it is a demonstration of strong inter-agency synergy and a shared resolve to rid our society of harmful, highly controlled drugs and illicit substances. It also sends a clear message to those involved in illicit drug trafficking that their activities will not go unchecked,”
The Comptroller also stressed the importance of collaboration between agencies, noting that the unit’s breakthrough in anti-smuggling activities is largely dependent on teamwork and effective collaborative engagement with the NDLEA and other sister agencies to achieve a common national goal.
He called on members of the public to support law enforcement by providing timely information, adding that “together, we can build a safer and healthier society.”
The development is particularly significant for Nigeria’s maritime and waterways security ecosystem, as enforcement along inland waterways and coastal corridors remains a critical front in the battle against drug trafficking. The FOU Zone C covers the South-East region, where waterways and border routes are frequently exploited by smugglers.
The NDLEA, as the lead agency for drug control, will now take custody of the consignments for further investigation and prosecution in line with its mandate.
Waterways News reports on maritime trade, port operations, and security developments across Nigeria’s inland and coastal waterways.