Seme Customs Seizes Trailer Load of Expired Noodles, Rice, Cannabis, Others Worth ₦365m

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and other contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365 million.

The Command also seized pharmaceutical products and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes, as well as a used speedboat, water bike and three vehicles in separate enforcement operations.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday, said the 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50kg, were intercepted following credible intelligence after the consignment was deceptively declared as food items.

He said further examination revealed that many of the noodles had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, while intelligence indicated that the products were intended to be repackaged, relabelled and introduced into the Nigerian market.

“By intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection,” Kaila said.

The Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, which were smuggled through illegal routes.

According to Kaila, the seizure was part of the Command’s efforts to check illicit importation, protect government revenue and support the Federal Government’s agricultural policies.

He said the continued smuggling of foreign rice undermined local production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

In its enforcement against illicit drugs and harmful substances, the Command intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg and 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg.

Kaila said the seized drugs and pharmaceutical products were capable of causing serious harm to public health, while the smuggled cigarettes also evaded applicable regulations and statutory duties.

He said the interceptions had helped disrupt illicit supply chains and prevent the products from reaching communities.

The Command further intercepted one used speedboat, one used water bike, one 2017 model Toyota Land Cruiser, one 2016 model Toyota RAV4 and one 2010 model Nissan Versa.

Kaila put the total DPV of the items displayed at the briefing at ₦365,163,709.

“To those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Seme Area Command generated ₦19,840,280,788.50 between January and July 2026, surpassing its entire revenue collection for 2025.

The seven-month revenue figure represents an increase of ₦3,899,022,112.49, or 24.45 per cent, over the Command’s total collection of ₦15,941,258,676.01 for the previous year.

Kaila attributed the improved revenue performance to enhanced compliance, stakeholder engagement and strengthened operational efficiency.

He said the development showed that effective enforcement and trade facilitation could be pursued simultaneously, with the Command continuing to create an enabling environment for compliant traders while tackling smuggling.

The Customs Area Controller said the Command remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, facilitating legitimate trade and promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.

Kaila also commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, while acknowledging the role of the media in informing the public about the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service.