Nigerian Customs, UAE Authorities Intercept Large Tramadol Shipment At Lagos Airport
Nigerian Customs, UAE Authorities Intercept Large Tramadol Shipment At Lagos Airport
The Customs Service disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday morning.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of a large consignment of Tramadol 250 mg at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC) in Lagos, thwarting what authorities described as an attempt to smuggle the controlled substance into the country.
The seizure, which was made through collaboration between the NCS and customs authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution of those involved.
The Customs Service disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday morning.
According to the NCS, the intercepted shipment was formally transferred to the NDLEA on June 11, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the trafficking of illicit and controlled substances into Nigeria.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed Area Command, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, described the interception as another demonstration of the agency’s resolve to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Otunla said the operation underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and international cooperation in disrupting criminal networks that seek to exploit Nigeria’s borders and aviation facilities.
He particularly commended officers attached to the Special WILD Office of the NCS Intelligence Unit, noting that their timely intelligence and professionalism were crucial to the operation’s success.
The Customs chief also praised officers involved in the interception for what he described as their dedication and commitment to protecting the country from dangerous substances that can fuel criminal activity and endanger public health.
According to him, cooperation from the UAE Customs authorities played a key role in identifying and tracking the suspicious consignment before it reached its intended destination.
“Their assistance was instrumental in identifying and intercepting this illegal shipment, further demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in the fight against transnational crime,” Otunla said.
Although Customs authorities did not disclose the exact quantity of the seized Tramadol or identify suspects linked to the shipment, the agency said the handover to the NDLEA would enable further investigation into the source, intended recipients, and wider network behind the smuggling attempt.
NCS, UAE Customs Foil Tramadol Smuggling Attempt
In collaboration with international partners, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of Tap Tramadol 250mg through the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC).
The intercepted… pic.twitter.com/DpjQufEk14
— NIGERIA CUSTOMS (@CustomsNG) June 16, 2026
Tramadol, a prescription opioid often abused as a recreational drug, has remained one of the substances frequently linked to addiction, organised crime, and insecurity across parts of Nigeria. Security agencies have repeatedly warned that the illicit circulation of high-dose Tramadol contributes to substance abuse and criminal activities among youths and armed groups.
The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its commitment to strengthening intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with local and international partners to combat drug trafficking, smuggling, and other threats to national security.
The agency also pledged to continue working closely with the NDLEA and foreign counterparts to prevent Nigeria’s ports and airports from being used as transit routes for illicit drugs and other contraband.
