Nigeria Customs cracks down on drug and contraband shipments in major seizures

In May 2026, Nigeria's Customs Service Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A launched Operation Hawk, seizing 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis (1,540 kg), 6.4 kg of cocaine and methamphetamine valued at about ₦2.35 billion, and intercepting a vehicle loaded with high‑grade mercury, foreign parboiled rice, used Tokunbo cars and tyres. The operation recorded 473 foiled smuggling attempts, arrested a 71‑year‑old suspect, and generated over ₦97.7 million in revenue from demand notices. The seized drugs and suspects were handed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.

Earlier, in February 2021, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 554 cartons of tramadol, 989 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items at Lagos's Apapa port. The seizure, worth N223.2 million in duty‑paid value, was traced from India to the port of Lome, Togo. Both operations illustrate the agency’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and illegal imports while balancing trade facilitation.