Tincan Port Customs Command seizes ₦18.9bn Worth of Cannabis, Hands Over Seizure to NDLEA for Prosecution
By Ranmilowo Ojalumo -The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command, has intercepted a massive consignment of illicit drugs valued at about ₦18.9 billion.
The seizure is part of the ongoing efforts by security agencies to clamp down on drug trafficking and organized crime at the nation’s seaports.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Controller Frank Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing at the port on Thursday, where the seized drugs were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
According to the Controller, the seizure followed credible intelligence and sustained inter-agency collaboration between Customs officers and NDLEA operatives stationed at the Tincan Island Port.
Controller Onyeka said while acting on intelligence, officials subjected a suspicious container marked HAMU429966/1 to a 100 per cent physical examination.
He noted that the container, which originated from Canada, had initially been declared to contain only used vehicles. However, a detailed inspection revealed a large cache of Cannabis Indica concealed within the shipment. He noted that the illicit consignment was hidden alongside one used 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.
Further examination, according controller Onyeka showed that the seizure comprised 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica, broken down into 9,458 packages with a combined weight of 4,729 kilograms. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at ₦18,916,000,000.
The Customs boss described the interception as a significant operational breakthrough, attributing the success to the vigilance, professionalism, and dedication of officers, as well as the strength of collaboration between relevant agencies.
“This achievement underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and our renewed commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders,” he said.
He noted that the formal handover of the seized drugs to the NDLEA aligns with statutory mandates, as the agency is responsible for drug-related investigations and prosecutions in Nigeria.
The development comes shortly after a landmark agreement between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service aimed at strengthening inter-agency synergy in combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
The agreement, signed on April 27, 2026, at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, is already yielding measurable results, according to officials.
Under the framework, both agencies are expected to deepen collaboration through structured intelligence sharing, regular engagements, and coordinated operational guidelines. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a standing inter-agency committee headquartered at the NDLEA’s national office in Abuja.
The Controller expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for what he described as visionary leadership and support in strengthening operational capacity. He also commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, and his team for their professionalism and commitment to the fight against illicit drugs.
He further acknowledged the contributions of port operators, other security agencies, and the media, noting that public awareness and timely information dissemination remain critical in tackling smuggling and illegal trade.
Reaffirming the command’s resolve, the Controller said the Tincan Island Port Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies and robust enforcement measures to curb smuggling activities and protect national security.
He issued a stern warning to smugglers and criminal networks, stressing that there would be no safe haven for economic saboteurs.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with its partners, is fully prepared and determined to detect, intercept, and prosecute all forms of illegal activities,” he said.
Speaking shortly before receiving the seized consignment, the NDLEA Strategic Commander at Tincan Island Port, Omotoso, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and strong inter-agency cooperation that led to the breakthrough.
He assured that the agency would intensify investigations to uncover those behind the shipment, including local collaborators and international syndicates involved in the trafficking network.
Omotoso issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, declaring that Nigeria’s ports are no longer viable channels for illicit drug operations.
He stated that there will be no safe haven for drug traffickers, noting that the NDLEA, in collaboration with sister agencies, is scaling up intelligence, surveillance, and enforcement actions to ensure that perpetrators are not only arrested but diligently prosecuted.
He added that the agency would also go after financiers and sponsors of the illicit trade, stressing that dismantling the entire value chain of drug trafficking remains a top priority.
The NDLEA commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining the renewed synergy with Customs and other stakeholders to safeguard public health and national security.
