TINCAN CUSTOMS SEIZES N18.9B CANNABIS FROM CANADA, HANDS OVER TO NDLEA
Tin Can Customs Seizes ₦18.9bn Cannabis from Canada, Hands Over to NDLEA
By Babatunde Aremu
The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica worth ₦18.9 billion concealed in a container falsely declared as containing used vehicles.
Customs Area Controller of the Command disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing and formal handover of the illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the port in Lagos.
He said the container, with number HAMU429966/1, originated from Canada and was red-flagged based on intelligence. A 100% physical examination revealed 9,458 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 4,729 kilograms hidden with a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.
“The estimated street value of the seizure is ₦18,916,000,000,” the Controller said. “This demonstrates the vigilance and professionalism of our officers, and affirms the strength of our collaboration with sister agencies.”
He noted that the seizure comes days after the NDLEA and NCS signed a historic agreement on 27 April 2026 in Abuja to strengthen inter-agency synergy against drug trafficking. The pact was signed by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Under the Standard Operating Procedures of the agreement, both agencies will deepen intelligence sharing and conduct coordinated operations. The headquarters of the standing inter-agency committee will be domiciled at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
The Controller commended CGC Adeniyi for his “visionary leadership” and thanked the NDLEA, port operators, and the media for their support.
He warned smugglers that the NCS, in collaboration with partners, is “fully prepared and determined to detect, intercept, and prosecute all forms of illegal activities.”
“There will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” he said, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and ports through intelligence-driven strategies.
The seized drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
