The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command has intercepted smuggled goods with an estimated duty paid value of N3.57 billion during intensified border enforcement operations.
Acting Area Comptroller Olukayode Afeni said the seizures were recorded from June 24 through the latest reporting period.
The intercepted goods included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice and thousands of parcels of suspected cannabis products.
Customs also recovered foreign sugar, petrol, diesel, fertiliser, used clothing, cosmetics, garments, drinks, purses and other goods.
The command said 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud or Indica were among the narcotics intercepted.
From January to August 2026, Customs said it had handed more than 32,000 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Afeni described smuggling as an economic threat because it undermined local producers and exposed consumers to potentially unsafe goods.
He said illegal rice imports could damage domestic agriculture and local milling businesses.
The command generated more than N90 million in July from baggage assessments, auctions and related charges.
It also recorded exports of more than 10,000 metric tons with a free on board value of about N2.59 billion.
Export items included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas.
Afeni warned smuggling networks that the command would continue to seize contraband and prosecute offenders.
He also called on traditional rulers, youth leaders and border communities to provide intelligence on suspicious activities.
The NDLEA said continued cooperation between agencies remained important to reducing illicit drug trafficking in border areas.
