NDLEA, Customs Intercept N16.6bn Cannabis Shipment At Tin Can Port

A joint operation by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,347 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 4,173.5 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N16.6 billion.

The seizure comes barely two weeks after operatives of both agencies intercepted another 9,450 packages of cannabis weighing 4,729kg and valued at N18.96 billion on April 30.

Speaking while handing over the seized drugs to the NDLEA on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Frank Onyeka, said the successful interception followed credible intelligence and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the seizure was made possible through intelligence sharing between the Customs and the NDLEA.

According to Onyeka, officers of the command’s enforcement unit intercepted a 40-foot container marked HAMU 247034/8 and carried out a thorough physical examination, which led to the discovery of the illicit drugs.

He explained that the container, which originated from Canada like the previous seizure, had the packages of cannabis concealed inside a used Ford bus and a Mercedes Benz C300 vehicle stashed in the container.

The customs comptroller, who formally handed over the seized drugs to the NDLEA Director of Seaport Operations, Ibinabo Archieabia, said the latest interception highlights the desperation of criminal networks seeking to use Nigerian ports as channels for trafficking dangerous substances.

“Exactly two weeks ago, on April 30, 2026, we gathered here to brief the public on a major interception made through intelligence and collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA.

“Today, we are back again for another significant seizure.

“This tells us two things. First, criminal networks are still desperate to use our ports to push dangerous substances into the country.

“Second, it shows that our officers and sister security agencies are alert, focused and fully committed to stopping them,” Onyeka said.

He described the act as a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to undermine national security and endanger the lives of Nigerians, especially the youth.

“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, the consignment did not get to the streets,” he added.

Onyeka assured Nigerians that the command would continue to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain collaboration with the NDLEA and other security agencies to ensure not only seizures, but also the arrest and prosecution of those behind the shipments.

He warned Nigerians collaborating with foreign criminal syndicates that the command would not spare anyone found compromising national security for personal gain.

The customs boss also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, for fostering the partnership and intelligence-sharing framework between both agencies in the fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking.

Responding, Archieabia described the handover as an epoch-making event as she formally took possession of the prohibited substances from the Customs.

She said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and tracking of the container shipment from Canada.

The NDLEA director said the exhibits would undergo the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law, describing the seizure as massive, with a street value exceeding N10.4 billion