In a decisive operation against drug trafficking, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command, led by Comptroller Godwin Otunla, has handed over a massive cannabis seizure to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
During a midnight sting operation on June 29, Customs operatives intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck (Registration No. EPE-595-LA), driven by 39-year-old Mr. William Asare, a resident of Ibadan, Oyo State. The truck contained 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,450kg, ingeniously hidden in custom-built compartments—referred to as a false bottom.
The illicit cargo, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦172.9 million, was transported to the Command Headquarters in Idiroko for investigation. Comptroller Otunla affirmed the seizure as a major milestone in curbing drug circulation, particularly among the youth.
Citing Section 226 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and having secured the approval of
the Comptroller General of Customs and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,
Otunla formally handed over the seized drugs and the suspect to Commander Ekundayo Omoniyi Williams of the NDLEA Ogun Special Command for further action.
The Controller commended Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council—an honor bestowed by 186 member nations.
He announced that the command has just taken delivery of 13 operational vehicles, generously allocated by the CGC to boost the command’s operational capacity. “We are deeply grateful to him and the entire management team for their continued support and encouragement,” he stated.