By AISHA COLE

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seizure is coming barely two weeks after operatives of both agencies intercepted another 9,450 packages of cannabis weighing 4,729kg valued at N18.96 billion on April 30.

Speaking while handing over the seized cannabis to the NDLEA on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka said the successful interception followed credible intelligence.

He said that the seizure of the drugs was possible by the Customs and NDLEA through intelligence sharing.

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

Onyeka said 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 it.

The customs comptroller, who handed over the seized drugs to NDLEA Director of Seaport Operation, ACG Ibinabo Archieabia, said that the latest seizure 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.

The Tin-can customs boss 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, who ensured that the consignment did not get to the streets,” Onyeka said.

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

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

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

In her response, Archieabia said that the handing over was an epoch-making event as she formally took possession of the prohibited weed from the Customs.

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

The NDLEA director said that the exhibits shall undergo the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law, describing the seizure as humongous with over N10.4 billion in street value.

According to her, the interception of this large cache of illicit substances by the Nigerian security architecture at the seaports is highly commendable.

The director also said that the gallant officers had served as effective and patriotic gatekeepers in ensuring the safety and security of the country’s maritime corridors.

She said the seizure was not merely about yesterday’s examination and discovery; rather, it was the positive outcome of painstaking intelligence, sustained surveillance, information gathering, and strategic trailing of the container from March up until yesterday.

Archieabia said that the criminals intended to distort and frustrate the law from monitoring their deadly container by having multiple layers of movement.

She said: “They did this by subjecting the container through several routes, the container originated from Toronto by truck on March 28, was further conveyed through the rails to Montreal.

” This is before it was loaded on board vessel Jakarta Express Voyage, from Montreal. It arrived at Tanger Med Port on 15/4/2026, where it was discharged and reloaded on vessel Osaka Voyage and arrived at Tincan seaports on May 9.”

The director said the agency under the leadership of retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa was uncompromising in its mandate to rid the society of narcotic substances and protect the future of our nation.

She further buttress the importance of the renewed MOU signed between the NCS and NDLEA recently, saying that the results were obvious.(NAN)

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