5 hours ago
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By Ayox Ojo
Operatives of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted two 40-foot containers containing suspected illicit drugs worth over ₦3.67 billion at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The Tin Can Island Port Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara, disclosed this in a statement on Friday,
Ivara listed the substances hidden in the vehicles and spare parts to include Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies as well as Cannabis Indica.
According to him, the illicit items were intercepted by vigilant Customs officers in collaboration with the officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ivara said the first container, identified as MSDU655132/0, was intercepted on September 2, 2026.
He added that joint 100 per cent physical examination conducted by officers of both agencies led to discovery of 890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 598.08 kilogrammes.
The container also contained two used vehicles: a 2008 Mercedes-Benz and a 2012 Nissan Infiniti.
The spokesperson said the second container, identified as SKU625643/6, was intercepted on September 16, 2026, with a physical examination revealing 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilogrammes and estimated to have a street value of ₦3.62 billion.
He added that the container also carried two used Toyota Sienna vehicles, two used Toyota Corolla vehicles and assorted used engine spare parts.
The Customs spokesperson said the combined seizures weighed 1,201.83 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of ₦3.67 billion.
He added that concealing the substances among imported vehicles and automobile components demonstrated attempts by suspected smugglers to exploit containerised cargo and legitimate commercial shipments to move prohibited substances into the country.
The spokesperson however noted that the interceptions underscored the commitment of the NCS and the NDLEA to preventing the smuggling of illicit drugs through Nigeria’s seaports and protecting public health and national security.
He added that the seized substances would be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and other necessary actions within the agency’s statutory mandate.
“This partnership between the NCS and the NDLEA remains critical to identifying, intercepting and dismantling the activities of individuals and networks involved in drug trafficking,” Ivara said.
Ivara also hailed officers of both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism, describing inter-agency collaboration as essential to combating smuggling and other transnational crimes.
The Customs spokesperson warned individuals involved in the illegal importation of prohibited substances to desist from the practice, stressing that the command would sustain enforcement operations against smuggling.
He added that the command would continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, cargo examination and collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to detect and prevent the movement of prohibited goods through the port.
Ivara also appealed to to importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and other maritime stakeholders to comply with applicable laws, import regulations and established procedures and not to use legitimate trade as a cover for criminal activities.
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