The Tincan Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa, Lagos takes the offensive against illicit drugs trafficking syndicate using the sea port, in the process, the Command intercepts cannabis from Canada worth N18.9 billion which has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
By Patrick Ogboru
The Tincan Island Port Area 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 to be carrying foreign used vehicles.
Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command showcased the huge seizure on Thursday, April 30, 2026 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 per cent physical examination revealed 9,458 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 4,729 kilograms hidden with a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.
At the media event, Comptroller Onyeka said, “The estimated street value of the seizure is ₦18,916,000,000. This demonstrates the vigilance and professionalism of our officers, and affirms the strength of our collaboration with sister agencies.”
He noted that the seizure was made few 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 the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed 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 the 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 its 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.
