Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products with a combined street value of N373.8 million during separate operations at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that the seizures were announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Adeniyi disclosed that customs officers uncovered a container loaded with concealed knock-down parts of pump-action rifles on July 8. According to him, 140 rifles have already been assembled from the recovered components, while officers are still putting together additional parts.
He added that a principal suspect was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while attempting to clear the container. Investigators reportedly linked the suspect to the shipment through financial and telecommunications records. Two suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while another key suspect remains on the run and is being tracked by security agencies.
The customs service also intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products disguised as ordinary imported goods, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The seizure included 8,720 Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies valued at N308.7 million, 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies worth N40.7 million, and 873 cartons containing cannabis-infused cookies valued at N24.3 million, bringing the total estimated street value to N373.8 million.
Adeniyi warned that the products were deliberately packaged to resemble regular snacks, with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie, making them particularly attractive to children, students and other unsuspecting consumers.
He commended officers of the TinCan Island Port Command for the successful operations and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to combating arms smuggling and illicit drug trafficking.
Receiving the seized narcotics, Augustine Adewunmi, Commander of Narcotics at the NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and smoothies as an emerging public safety threat.
He noted that the products, imported from the United States, were designed to appeal to children, students and clubgoers, increasing the risk of accidental drug consumption, while confirming that investigations are ongoing.
