The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a shipment of cannabis sativa valued at N18.96 billion concealed inside two imported vehicles at Tin Can Island Port.
Gatekeepers News reports that the seizure was announced by Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, while displaying the consignment to journalists within the port.
Onyeka said the container, which originated from Canada, was declared to contain used vehicles but was flagged through intelligence. He noted that operatives subjected it to a 100 per cent physical examination.
According to him, the inspection uncovered 185 jumbo bags of cannabis hidden inside a used 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet vehicle.
Further examination revealed 9,450 packages of cannabis weighing 4,729 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of N18.96 billion.
He said the operation was carried out through intelligence-driven efforts in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies.
The Customs boss described the seizure as a testament to the vigilance and professionalism of officers, as well as the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration.
Onyeka noted that the development comes shortly after a cooperation agreement between the NCS and NDLEA, signed on April 27, 2026, to enhance intelligence sharing and joint operations. The agreement includes the establishment of a standing inter-agency committee headquartered in Abuja.
He formally handed over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution in line with its statutory mandate.
Onyeka also commended the NDLEA, port operators, and the media for their support, while warning smugglers that there would be no safe haven for illegal activities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to deploying intelligence-led strategies and robust enforcement measures to safeguard Nigeria’s economy, public health, and national security.
Receiving the consignment, Omotoso Solomon, commander of narcotics at the NDLEA Tin Can Strategic Command, said the seizure highlights ongoing efforts to tighten surveillance at the nation’s seaports.
Solomon attributed the interception to strong inter-agency collaboration and decisive leadership within the Customs command, noting that the operation was based on carefully sourced and processed intelligence.
He warned drug traffickers to steer clear of the port.
“In the interest of national security and your own future, stay away from Tin Can Island Port. Our operations here are firm, coordinated, and uncompromising,” he said.
