By Aliyu DANLADI
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 120 wraps of cannabis and 68 cartons of Tramadol drugs smuggled into the country to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Sokoto State.
The Customs Comptroller in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Mr Nasir Ahmad, performed the handover ceremony on Tuesday, saying that the items were seized on Saturday at Kamba border in Kebbi.
Ahmad said the smuggled items were concealed in second-hand clothes.
He said it was revealed during investigation that the suspects abandoned their vehicles after they were spotted by Customs officials.
He said the cannabis was valued at N22 million, while Tramadol and Evergrip drugs was worth N20 million.
The comptroller described the activities of smugglers as very inimical to the nation’s economy. According to him, many banditry and violent activities are often perpetrated under drug influence.
He advised smugglers to find legitimate means of livelihood and shun acts that undermined the nation’s economy.
Ahmad appealed to border communities to assist the agency with useful information that could help it to track down smugglers.
Mr Hamis Yahaya, NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, and Mr Mustapha Ali-Baba, NDLEA Head of Narcotics, Sokoto State Command, commended the Customs Service for its efforts.
They expressed joy that the synergy that existed between their respective agencies and Customs had yielded fruitful results.
They urged Nigerians to support the fight against smuggling and consumption of illicit drugs, which they described as detrimental to human health and the nation’s economy.
