The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted more than 1.2 tonnes of cannabis products worth an estimated ₦3.67bn in two containers at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos State, and handed the seized substances to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
The seizures, made on September 2 and 16, involved cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, as well as packages of Cannabis Indica concealed alongside used vehicles and automobile spare parts.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Joseph Anani, said the first container contained 890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 598.08 kilogrammes.
Two used vehicles, a 2008 Mercedes-Benz and a 2012 Nissan Infiniti, were also found in the container. The entire consignment was valued at about ₦53m, according to Anani.
The second container, intercepted on September 16, contained 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilogrammes, alongside two used Toyota Sienna vehicles, two Toyota Corolla vehicles and engine spare parts. The drugs had an estimated street value of ₦3.62bn.
Anani said the combined weight of the seized substances was 1,201.83 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of ₦3.67bn.
He attributed the seizures to intelligence-led enforcement and cooperation between Customs and the NDLEA, adding that the concealment of drugs among vehicles and spare parts showed how smugglers exploited containerised cargo to move prohibited substances into Nigeria.
“This partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA remains critical to identifying, intercepting and dismantling the activities of individuals and networks involved in drug trafficking,” he said.
The seized substances were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and action within its statutory responsibilities.
Anani warned smugglers against using the port for illegal activities, saying the command would strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, cargo examination and enforcement.
He also urged importers, licensed customs agents and freight forwarders to comply with import regulations and avoid using legitimate trade as a cover for criminal activities.
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