Customs, NDLEA Intercept ₦18.9bn Cannabis Shipment at Tincan Island Port
The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 4,729 kilograms of illicit substances valued at over ₦18.9 billion at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed the seizure on Thursday, April 30, during a press briefing, attributing the success to credible intelligence and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
According to him, the container, which originated from Canada, was falsely declared as carrying used vehicles but was found to contain 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica concealed inside two vehicles — a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.
The operation uncovered a total of 9,458 packages of Cannabis Indica, with an estimated street value of ₦18.916 billion.
Comptroller Onyeka said the interception aligns with a recent agreement between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), aimed at strengthening cooperation against drug trafficking.
He praised NDLEA for providing critical intelligence that led to the breakthrough, noting that the shipment was intercepted immediately after the vessel berthed at the port.
“There will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” Onyeka warned, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating smuggling and illicit trade.
Receiving the seized items, NDLEA Commander at Tincan Island Strategic Command, Solomon Omotosho, commended the Customs team for their swift action and reiterated that sustained collaboration between both agencies would continue to yield significant results in the fight against drug trafficking.
Customs, NDLEA Intercept ₦18.9bn Cannabis Shipment at Tincan Island Port