Customs seize 1,000 parcels of cannabis hidden in truck

Customs seize 1,000 parcels of cannabis hidden in truck

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) in Kwara State has made a significant bust, intercepting 1,153 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) ingeniously concealed within a truck’s fabricated compartments.

The vehicle, a Daf truck bearing the number plate T-25750-LA, was stopped by Customs operatives along the Yamboa Axis of Bukuro, located in the Baruten Local Government Area.

During the official handover of the seized items to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday, Customs Area Controller Faith Matthew Ojeifo referred to the vehicle as a “wonder truck.” He revealed that the truck driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush in a bid to evade capture, which only heightened the operatives’ suspicions.

“The truck was immediately transported to the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, where a thorough 100% physical examination led to the discovery of the hidden contraband,” Ojeifo said.

The seized drugs have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N57,668,448, and the truck, valued at N21.5 million, is set to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

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Ojeifo expressed concern over the lengths smugglers are willing to go, stating that “die-hard smugglers will stop at nothing to continue their illegal activities.”

He further explained that these criminals have become adept at using modified vehicles and motorcycles to smuggle goods, even going so far as to fabricate false bodies and bottoms in trucks to conceal dangerous drugs.

In addition to this major seizure, Ojeifo reported that during the review period, the command also confiscated 110 jerry cans containing approximately 2,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at N550,000. The total Duty Paid Value of all seized items amounted to N42,702,650.00.

Furthermore, the command generated N3,371,866,918.88 in revenue between June and July, bringing the total revenue from January to July to an impressive N13,398,447,613.51.

Kwara NDLEA Commander, Ayoola Popoola Fatimah, emphasized the potential harm these drugs could have caused if they had reached society, adding that the drugs would have added to the already alarming statistic of over 14 million affected individuals.

She assured that the NDLEA would work closely with customs to apprehend those responsible for this crime, asserting that such individuals have no place in society.

Customs seize 1,000 parcels of cannabis hidden in truck