Customs, NDLEA intercept N16bn cannabis shipment

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Command, has collaborated with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to intercept 8,347 packages of cannabis indica weighing 4,173.5 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of N16.694bn, at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

This comes weeks after operatives of both agencies recorded a similar seizure at the command.

Speaking while displaying the seized drugs to journalists at the port on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Frank Onyeka, said the successful interception followed credible intelligence jointly gathered by the NCS and NDLEA.

He explained that officers of the Enforcement Units of the command intercepted a 40-foot container marked HAMU 247034/8 and subjected it to thorough physical examination following credible intelligence reports jointly gathered by both agencies, which led to the discovery of the illicit drugs.

The CAC disclosed that the container, which originated from Canada, “was found to contain 8,347 packages of cannabis indica weighing 4,173.5 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N16.694bn.”

Onyeka noted that the seizure represented a deliberate attempt by criminal syndicates to undermine national security and endanger the lives of Nigerians, especially young people.

“This is not just another seizure. This represents a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to jeopardise national security, endanger lives, and profit from the destruction of our hardworking young men and women.

Thankfully, due to the vigilance and professionalism of our officers and partner agencies, that consignment will not get to the streets,” Onyeka stated.

He stressed that the command would intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and sustain collaboration with the NDLEA and other security agencies to prevent Nigerian ports from being used for illegal importation.

The Tincan Island Command boss vowed that individuals and insiders aiding criminal activities at the ports would be identified, traced, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Onyeka commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, for fostering the partnership and intelligence-sharing framework between both agencies in the fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking.

Receiving the seized drugs on behalf of the NDLEA, the Director of Seaport Operations, Ibinabo Abia, described the interception as a major victory against transnational criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.

She said the recovered substances had tested positive for cannabis indica and would undergo legal forfeiture procedures in line with the law.

Abia revealed that the successful operation was the outcome of months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and international collaboration involving Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to her, the container originated from Toronto, Canada, before passing through Montreal and Tanger Med Port en route to Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. She added that traffickers deliberately changed routes multiple times in a bid to evade security monitoring before the consignment was eventually intercepted on arrival in Nigeria.

The NDLEA official praised the professionalism and resilience of officers of the NCS, the Nigerian Ports Authority and other security agencies involved in the operation.

She further noted that the latest seizure followed recent interceptions of 4,729 kilograms of cannabis indica on April 27 and another 610.5 kilograms on April 30, 2026, highlighting the growing success of intelligence-driven anti-narcotics operations at the nation’s seaports.