The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, has intercepted over two million tramadol tablets and 10,000 bottles of barcadin codeine syrup worth N1.056 billion along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State.

The zone described the operation in a statement on Saturday as a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

The unit’s Customs Area Controller, Bashir Balogun, explained that through strategic intelligence and coordinated enforcement, “operatives intercepted a truck loaded with over 2 million tablets of tramadol and 10,000 bottles of barcadin codeine syrup (100ml each) on March 15, 2026, along the Okada/Ofosu Expressway in Benin City, Edo State. The seized drugs have a total duty paid value of N1.056bn.”

When the truck was flagged down, the driver attempted to evade officers but eventually parked, jumped out, and fled into nearby bushland. A subsequent search revealed the drugs cleverly concealed among legitimate goods to evade detection.

Balogun stressed that the operation underscores the service’s unwavering commitment to curbing the smuggling of prohibited substances, which fuel drug addiction and crime nationwide. He warned smugglers and criminal networks to abandon their illegal activities, stressing that the service will continue deploying intelligence-led strategies to safeguard public health and national security. He added that the seized consignment is in custody, with investigations underway to apprehend those responsible.