At the Onne Port in Rivers State, a relentless battle continues between the Nigeria Customs Service and determined smugglers who persist in trafficking illicit items including firearms, ammunition, hard drugs, and other prohibited goods despite intensified enforcement measures.

During a recent press briefing at the Port Harcourt Area II Command, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to escalate its crackdown on smuggling. This followed the interception of 16 containers filled with contraband, 11 of which were loaded with various hard drugs and illicit pharmaceuticals, with an estimated value exceeding ₦20 billion.

“These seizures reveal a high level of sophistication in concealment techniques and a deliberate effort to bypass import regulations,” Adeniyi said. The smuggled items were cleverly hidden beneath legitimate consumer products such as ceiling fans, tomato paste, and plumbing materials clearly intended to deceive inspectors and slip through the system unnoticed.

Items recovered included:

• 9,280 units of chilly cutters
• 118 ceiling fans
• 2,610 plumbing items
• 2,268 pieces of Smart Tech vehicle parts
• 97,200 tins of tomato paste
• 700 cartons of cosmetic creams

The CG noted the broader implications of these illegal imports, citing the economic and public health dangers posed by drug addiction, hindered medical interventions, and the empowerment of organized crime syndicates. He emphasized that Customs’ recent actions are aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat transnational crime and reinforce Nigeria’s border security.

“We will deploy every available resource to prevent criminal elements from jeopardizing our national health and economic well-being,” he said.

According to Adeniyi, the Customs Service is ramping up intelligence-driven enforcement across all commands, focusing on high-risk entry points to curtail both the import and export of contraband goods. He commended the officers and men of the Area II Command for their vigilance, dedication, and professionalism, which he said were crucial in intercepting the illicit cargo.

The CG also reaffirmed Customs’ unwavering support for President Tinubu’s national security and economic agenda through fortified border management, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and continued anti-smuggling operations.

Also speaking, the Controller of the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Mohammed Babandede, attributed the successful operation to effective collaboration with key sister agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“We are currently holding 11 x 40-foot containers of hard drugs, 4 x 20-foot containers of prohibited tomato paste, and 1 x 40-foot container of mixed contraband,” Babandede revealed. “This breakthrough underscores the success of the CGC’s policy thrust anchored on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.”