Customs intercepts bus with military camouflage, drugs worth N259m in Ogun

Men of the Ogun State Area Command 1 of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, have intercepted a luxury passenger bus loaded with suspected military camouflage uniforms, cannabis sativa, and other prohibited items allegedly smuggled into the country.

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Disclosing this to newsmen, the acting area controller of the command, Oladapo Afeni, said the bus, which had no registration plate, was intercepted through intelligence-driven surveillance after allegedly evading several security checkpoints from Lagos to Ogun state.

He mentioned that the contraband items were intercepted around 1:30 am on Sunday along the Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway while being transported to the eastern part of the country.

Afeni said that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the seizure and would be thoroughly investigated to uncover other members of the smuggling syndicate.

He mentioned that the vehicle, belonging to a transport company, was also loaded with other illicit drugs, including Colorado, and several uncustomed goods.

According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that the military uniforms were meant for unauthorised persons and could have been used for impersonation or other criminal activities.

“A 100 per cent physical examination of the vehicle revealed 197 camouflage trousers and shorts concealed in unmarked cartons, five two-piece camouflage uniforms, and 32 mixed camouflage innerwear and tops.

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Other seized items included 154 parcels of synthetic cannabis indica, popularly known as Canadian Loud; seven parcels of Colorado; and other goods still undergoing investigation and system checks.”

Afeni stated that the success of the operation was made possible through rigorous intelligence gathering and surveillance.

He explained that intelligence reports had revealed that commercial transport operators were being used to move contraband goods along federal highways under the guise of legitimate business activities.

“Unauthorised possession of military apparel is often linked to impersonation, where criminals disguise themselves as security personnel to commit atrocities or facilitate the movement of contraband,” he said

Afeni said the seized cannabis and the suspects have bene handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.