DRUG HAUL AT TIN CAN ISLAND PORT; AS COMPT ONYEKA INTERCEPTS N16.6 BILLION CANNABIS INDICA FROM CANADA
No less than 8,347 packages packages of Cannabis Indica weighing more than 4,173.5 kilograms have been intercepted by eagle-eyed officers of the Tin Can Island command in Lagos. Area Controller of the command, Compt Frank Onyeka said the drugs coming from Canada were worth N16,694,000,000.
“This is not just another seizure. This represents a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to jeopardize National Security, endanger lives and profit from the destruction of our hardworking young and women of our country. Thankfully, due to the vigilance and professionalism of our officers and partner agencies, that consignment will not get to the streets.”
Interestingly, it feels like they were here just yesterday. Exactly two weeks ago, precisely on the 30th of April, 2026, they gathered in this same manner to brief the public on a major interception made through intelligence and collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Today, they are back here for yet another significant seizure.
According to him, this tells us two things. First, criminal networks are still desperate to use our ports to push dangerous substances into the country. Second, and more importantly, it shows that our officers and sister security agencies are alert, focused, and fully committed to stopping them.
Acting on credible intelligence gathered jointly by the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA, officers of the Enforcement unit intercepted and subjected a 1x40ft container with number HAMU 247034/8 to a thorough physical examination.
He assured Nigerians that this Command is not relenting. If anything, recent events have strengthened our resolve. They will continue to intensify surveillance, deepen intelligence gathering, and sustain our collaboration with the NDLEA and other security agencies to ensure more interceptions are made.
They are also determined to go beyond seizures. Those behind these shipments will be identified, traced, arrested, and prosecuted. He clearly warn any insider collaborators aiding these criminal activities: the Command will not spare anyone found compromising national security for personal gain. No matter how long it takes, such individuals will be tracked down and dealt with according to the law.
At this point, he sincerely appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR psc (+) PhD and the Chairman Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA Brigadier General Buba Marwa CFR (Rtd) for the successful partnership agreement reached in the interest of National Security and the fight against illicit activities.
Stating that this development is a clear demonstration of the commitment of both agencies towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration and Intelligence sharing
He thanks members of the press for continuing to stand with them in informing the public and supporting the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking.
Stressing that the message today is simple and clear: they are watching, they are working, and they will continue to frustrate every attempt to use our ports for illegal importation. The Controller now precede to handover items to the NDLEA for further investigation
In her remarks, the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of the NDLEA, Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba,fsi, said this is an auspicious event where Nigeria is being defended from the daring and wicked activities of criminal merchants who are more concerned with profiteering than with the lives, health, and wellbeing of innocent citizens.
It is indeed an epoch-making event as the NDLEA formally take over from the Nigeria Customs Service, prohibited weeds which have tested positive for Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 4,173.5kg, alongside vehicles used as conveyances for the illicit drugs.
These exhibits shall proceed through the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law. The seizure is humongous, a total of 4,173.5kg of Cannabis Indica worth over 10.4 billion in street value. The interception of this large cache of illicit substances by the Nigerian security architecture at the seaports is highly commendable. These gallant officers have served as effective and patriotic gatekeepers in ensuring the safety and security of our maritime corridors.
It is instructive to commend the professionalism, resilience, and dedication displayed by the cooperating sister agencies, especially our landlord; the Nigeria Port Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security organizations during the joint examination through which the substances were recovered from the targeted container. We further deeply appreciate the huge sacrifice and patriotic roles displayed by the NPA and the Nigeria Customs Service in the interest of National Security. Kindly accept the compliments of the Honourable CCEO and the Management officers of the Agency.
It is pertinent to state that this seizure is not merely about yesterday’s examination and discovery rather, it is the positive outcome of painstaking intelligence and gathering, sustained surveillance, strategic trailing of the container from march up until yesterday.
The marine intelligence unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, working in close collaboration with our foreign partners particularly the Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police diligently and tenaciously monitored the movement and trail of this particular consignment for over two to three months.
The criminals intended to distort and frustrate the law from monitoring their deadly container by having multiple layers of movement. They did this by subjecting the container through several routes, the container originated from Toronto by truck on 28/3/2026, through the rails to Montreal, before it was loaded on board vessel Jakarta Express Voyage, from Montreal. It arrived Tanger Med Port on 15/4/2026, where it was discharged and reloaded on vessel Osaka Voyage and arrived Tincan seaports on the 9/5/2026. was further conveyed
Permit me to state that the unwavering commitment, intelligence-sharing, and operational synergy displayed, ultimately culminated in this remarkable feat and successful interception.
This achievement once again demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency international cooperation, intelligence-driven collaboration, and operations in combating transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking. As showcased in the recent seizures of Cannabis Indica that weighed 4,729kg on the 27th April 2026 and another 610.5kg on the 30th April 2026.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, under the able leadership of our visionary and indefatigable leader, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON remains resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in its mandate to rid our society of narcotic substances and protect the future of our nation. This further buttress the importance of the renewed MOU signed between the NCS and NDLEA recently. The results are obvious. We shall continue to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Port Authority and all Security Agencies to continually disrupt, defeat, and dismantle these nefarious activities, while ensuring the safety of our maritime domain for legitimate trade, tourism, and national prosperity.
