Tincan Customs Hands Over ₦8bn Worth of Illicit Drugs to NDLEA

Tincan Customs Hands Over ₦8bn Worth of Illicit Drugs to NDLEA 

*Lagos, March 10, 2025* – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth over ₦8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reinforcing its commitment to national security and public health.  

The contraband was officially transferred in a brief ceremony held at the Command’s Enforcement Unit, where the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, presented the seized items to the Commander of NDLEA Tincan Island Strategic Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju.  

Seizures Made Through Intelligence and Collaboration  

Comptroller Onyeka credited the successful interception of the illicit drugs to intelligence-driven operations and collaboration between Customs officers and NDLEA personnel. He disclosed that the two 20-foot containers, falsely declared as used cars and auto spare parts from Canada, were seized in separate batches.  

Providing a breakdown of the intercepted consignments, Onyeka stated:  

- **Container No. TCNU 194586/1**, intercepted on **February 27, 2025**, contained **128 packets of Cannabis Indica**, weighing **63.75 kilograms**, with an estimated street value of **₦414,375,000**.  

- **Container No. MSMU 838666/3**, intercepted on **December 12, 2024**, held:  

  - **97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine**, weighing **78.3 kilograms**, valued at **₦2 billion**.  

  - **1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica**, weighing **867.5 kilograms**, valued at **₦5.638 billion**.  

The total street value of the seized drugs amounted to **₦8,053,125,000**.  

Commitment to Security and Anti-Smuggling Efforts**  

Speaking at the event, Comptroller Onyeka emphasized the Command’s dedication to safeguarding the country from illicit drug trafficking, which poses a significant threat to public health and national security.  

“These seizures highlight our resolve to prevent dangerous substances from infiltrating our society. While we remain committed to facilitating legitimate trade, we will not relent in our duty to combat smuggling and other illicit activities,” he stated.  

He further assured that the Command would continue to enhance its intelligence capabilities and inter-agency collaborations to strengthen enforcement efforts.  

Call for Stakeholder Support  

Comptroller Onyeka urged all stakeholders, including importers and port users, to support the Customs Service in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports. He reiterated that a secure port system is crucial to national economic stability and public safety.  

The handover of the seized drugs marks another significant success in the fight against drug smuggling, reinforcing the synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA in protecting the country from illicit substances.  

SC OE Ivara, pjsc  

*Public Relations Officer*  

*Tincan Island Port Command*