Customs seizes N3.57bn contraband, 6,035 parcels of ‘Ghana Loud’ in Ogun

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted smuggled goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.574 billion, including 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 6,035 parcels of suspected cannabis, popularly known as “Ghana Loud.”

The Command also disclosed that it had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, since January 2026.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Ogun I Command Headquarters, Idiroko.

Afeni said the seizures were part of the Command’s sustained campaign against smuggling, illicit drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.

He warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Command would continue to make its area of jurisdiction hostile to illegal activities.

According to him, smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited goods goes beyond the violation of import regulations, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria’s agricultural development, local industries, employment and economic self-reliance.

“When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

“Unimpeded smuggling forces local mills to close and leaves our farmers bankrupt,” Afeni said.

He added that patronising smuggled foreign products amounted to exporting jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty in Nigeria.

The Acting Controller said the items intercepted and displayed included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, and 3,760 pieces of new tops.

Others were 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 85 pieces of fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Heaven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 pieces of new purses.

The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items, he said, stood at N3,574,435,248.08.

Afeni described the seizures as evidence of the Command’s vigilance and determination to prevent contraband from flooding Nigerian communities.

The Customs boss expressed particular concern over the quantity of illicit drugs intercepted, warning that the growing circulation of high-potency cannabis varieties could have serious consequences for Nigerian youths.

He said the illicit drug trade could also finance violent criminal networks, human trafficking and the illegal proliferation of arms.

“The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa are not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy,” he said.

Afeni stressed that the fight against drug trafficking required sustained collaboration among security agencies.

He subsequently handed over the seized narcotics to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The Ogun I Command also announced that it generated N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.