Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has handed over illicit drugs valued at more than ₦8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seized substances, which included Cannabis Indica and Crystal Methamphetamine, were intercepted through a coordinated intelligence operation by Customs officers in collaboration with the NDLEA.
Speaking at the brief handover ceremony at the Command’s Enforcement Unit, Customs Area Controller Frank Onyeka emphasized that the interception demonstrated the agency’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking through Nigeria’s ports.
He formally handed over the contraband to Mitchell Ofoyeju, Commander of NDLEA’s Tincan Island Strategic Command.
The illicit consignments, falsely declared as shipments of used cars and auto spare parts from Canada, were discovered in two separate 20-foot containers.
- Container No. TCNU 194586/1 – Intercepted on February 27, 2025, it contained 128 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 63.75 kilograms, with an estimated street value of ₦414.4 million.
- Container No. MSMU 838666/3 – Seized on December 12, 2024, this shipment contained:
– 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine (78.3kg) worth ₦2 billion.
– 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica (867.5kg) valued at ₦5.64 billion.
The total street value of the drugs stands at ₦8.05 billion.
Comptroller Onyeka reiterated that the seizures reflect the Command’s dedication to national security and public health, vowing to intensify efforts against illicit trade through enhanced intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.
He urged stakeholders to support the fight against smuggling to protect Nigeria’s borders and ports.
The NDLEA has since taken custody of the intercepted drugs for further investigation and necessary action.