The Nigeria Customs Service has arrested a 71-year-old man after officers allegedly discovered cocaine worth about N2.35bn concealed in a Toyota Highlander along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The suspect, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was intercepted by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja. According to the Customs Area Controller, Gambo Aliyu, a search of the vehicle uncovered 6.35 kilogrammes of cocaine, carefully hidden to evade detection.

Aliyu said the arrest formed part of a broader clampdown on smuggling and narcotics trafficking, which has seen the unit intensify patrols and surveillance across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states. He explained that the cocaine seizure was one of several high-profile interceptions recorded in recent weeks.

Within an eight-week period, the unit reportedly foiled 473 smuggling attempts and seized contraband with a total duty-paid value put at over N5.5bn. Among the items confiscated were 8,794 bags of foreign rice, described as the equivalent of 15 trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors and 328 bales of used clothing.

Other seized goods included 31,705 litres of premium motor spirit, 1,188 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 531 cartons of frozen poultry products, 485 used tyres and 69 cartons of spaghetti. Several suspects were arrested in connection with these operations and are undergoing investigation.

Aliyu also disclosed the interception of four cylinders of mercury, each weighing about 80 kilogrammes. He described mercury as a hazardous substance strictly regulated under the Minamata Convention, warning that its illicit movement poses serious environmental and public health risks.

To tackle drug trafficking more systematically, the unit launched a special anti-narcotics drive codenamed Operation Hawk. Under this initiative, officers seized 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,540 kilogrammes, further underscoring the scale of the illicit trade.

Beyond physical seizures, the unit recovered N97.7m in revenue through demand notices issued for underpaid duties, a move Aliyu said reflects stepped-up compliance enforcement.

He added that Customs is increasingly relying on digital surveillance tools, including geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drone monitoring and predictive analytics, to map smuggling routes and anticipate traffickers’ movements.

The seized cocaine and synthetic drugs have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for detailed investigation and possible prosecution, while the mercury consignment is to be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency for appropriate action.