NDLEA, Customs Intercept ₦10.4bn Cannabis Shipment at Tin Can Island Port

NDLEA, Customs Intercept ₦10.4bn Cannabis Shipment at Tin Can Island Port

LAGOS — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service have uncovered a major transnational drug trafficking attempt at Tin Can Island Port, seizing 4,173.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦10.4 billion.

The illicit consignment was discovered during a joint container examination at the Lagos port, in what authorities described as a significant disruption of an international drug smuggling network.

Security officials said the drugs were carefully concealed within a container to evade detection, but were intercepted following coordinated surveillance and intelligence-led operations.

Speaking during the formal handover of the seized substance, Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba of the NDLEA, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and monitoring.

He disclosed that the targeted container had been placed under surveillance for over two months before operatives moved in for the interception.

Investigations traced the shipment’s movement from Toronto through Montreal in Canada, transported via truck and rail, before being shipped through Tanger Med Port en route to Nigeria.

The container eventually arrived in Lagos on May 9, 2026, where enhanced monitoring by operatives led to its seizure.

The operation was supported by intelligence sharing between the NDLEA Marine Intelligence Unit and international partners, including U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Ogboba said the interception underscored the increasing sophistication of global drug trafficking syndicates exploiting maritime routes to move illicit substances across borders.

He commended collaboration among security agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and other port stakeholders for their roles in the operation.

According to authorities, the seized consignment has been taken into NDLEA custody for forensic analysis and prosecution processes.

The agency further noted that the latest bust follows previous interceptions of 4,729 kilograms of cannabis on April 27 and an additional 610.5 kilograms on April 30.

The NDLEA, under the leadership of Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing Nigerian ports from being used as transit hubs for illicit drugs.