The Nigeria Customs Service says it has intercepted 11.931kg of cocaine valued at about N3.9 billion concealed inside a Ford Transit Bus conveying religious books.

The interception occurred during a stop and search operation by officers of the Seme Command, along Seme-Badagry expressway on Sunday morning.

Hussein Abdulahi, spokesperson for the Command, said in a statement on Friday that customs officers also intercepted 31,950 litres of petrol valued at a little above N10 million along Badagry creek.

Quoting the Customs Area Controller, Bello Jibo, he said the substance was subjected to test and verification by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Mr Jibo said the test indicated that it was cocaine weighing 11.913kg, while its street value was estimated to be N3.9billion.

He said that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, and that the command had initiated offensive patrol against smuggling of petroleum products along the creeks within the Seme and Badagry axis.

According to Mr Jibo, this renewed effort led to the interception of large quantities of petroleum products packaged in sacks on January 26.

He said the items were successfully evacuated to the Command premises where an examination was conducted and 1,065 jerrycans of 30 litres each discovered.

“The petroleum product equivalent to 31,950 litres was discovered with Duty Paid Value at N10,041,198.00,” he said.

He commended sister agencies and Seme border stakeholders for their assistance, and reiterated the commitment of his officers in supporting the government.

(NAN)