The Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C in Owerri has recorded a major interception in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

According to the Customs authority, operatives intercepted over one million tablets of Tramadol and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State, on March 15, 2026. The recovered drugs have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) estimated at N1,056,000,000.

Comptroller Bishir Balogun, who made the disclosure, said the seizure was achieved through intelligence-led enforcement and coordinated operations. He explained that the driver, upon noticing the operatives, attempted to evade them, but later stopped. The driver then abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushland. A search of the truck revealed that the drugs were cleverly concealed among legitimate goods in an attempt to avoid detection.

Balogun emphasised that the operation highlights the Service’s commitment to stopping the smuggling of prohibited substances such as Tramadol and Codeine, which he noted contribute to drug abuse, crime, and other public health challenges.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the individuals behind the drug shipment. The Customs Service also warned smugglers and criminal networks to desist, stressing that intelligence-driven operations will continue to protect public health and national security.