The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a haul of contraband goods valued at N267 million at the Seme-Krake border, including parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), packs of Tramadol, petroleum motor spirit (PMS), foreign parboiled rice, and other prohibited items.
Displaying the seized goods at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post in Seme, the Customs Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, revealed that the interception took place in February 2025.
“The items, which were seized in February 2025 with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N267 million, are in violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 (NCSA 23),” Oramalugo stated.
The confiscated goods include 444 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 181 packs of Tramadol, 600 bottles of Codeine syrup (100ml each), 240 kegs of PMS, 1,809 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 17 sacks of used shoes, 56 bales of used clothes, and 203 pieces of used tyres.
Oramalugo also announced that the Command generated N743.7 million in revenue during the period under review, reinforcing the NCS’s commitment to blocking leakages and ensuring maximum revenue collection for national development.
Additionally, the Seme Command facilitated the export of 28,395.293 metric tonnes of produce, equivalent to 806 trucks, with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N7.85 billion (approximately $4.99 million).
The Command also collected N39.26 million under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) and a total surcharge of N2.43 million.
The Area Controller reaffirmed the NCS’s resolve to intensify border security, engage community leaders, and implement intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal trade, emphasizing that the Customs Service will continue to clamp down on illicit activities.
“The Seme Command remains committed to national security, economic growth, and trade facilitation. The proactive measures we have taken will lead to even greater success in the coming months,” Oramalugo stated.
As part of inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa was handed over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Seme Command, Fingeron Owen Dinneys.
Dinneys assured that the NDLEA would intensify investigations to track down those involved in drug trafficking.
“It’s not every time that you go out and you get suspects. Definitely, they will not be there waiting for you to come and apprehend them. They know the consequences if they are caught,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, he affirmed the agency’s commitment to keeping dangerous substances off the streets. While declining to disclose details of ongoing investigations, he assured that the NDLEA remains steadfast in pursuing those responsible for drug trafficking.
