The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a large consignment of Tap Tramadol 250mg at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC), Lagos Airport, in a major anti-smuggling operation targeting illicit pharmaceutical trafficking.
The interception was achieved through credible intelligence and coordinated surveillance operations led by the NCS Intelligence Unit’s Special WILD Office, with critical technical assistance provided by the United Arab Emirates Customs.
Acting on the intelligence, officers were able to track and intercept the controlled pharmaceutical shipment before it could be smuggled into circulation within the country.
Following the seizure, the illicit consignment was formally transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday, 11 June 2026, for further investigation, profiling, and possible prosecution of individuals connected to the attempted trafficking.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony held on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed Area Command, Godwin Otunla, described the operation as a reflection of the Service’s intensified efforts to curb the trafficking of controlled substances that continue to pose significant threats to public health, safety, and national security.
He commended the officers of the Special WILD Office for their professionalism, swift response, and effective use of intelligence, which he said were instrumental to the successful interception of the shipment.
Otunla lauded the broader efforts of officers and men of the Command, noting their commitment, discipline, and teamwork in sustaining ongoing anti-smuggling operations.
The Comptroller further acknowledged the invaluable technical support and collaboration provided by the United Arab Emirates Customs, stating that such international partnerships remain critical in addressing the growing challenge of transnational drug trafficking networks.
According to him, the assistance received played a decisive role in identifying and disrupting the movement of the illegal consignment.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to its mandate, Otunla stressed the need for continued inter-agency cooperation and intelligence-driven enforcement strategies, noting that such synergy remains essential to safeguarding national security and protecting citizens from the dangers associated with illicit drug trafficking.