Felix KumuyiN16.6bn Drug Bust at Lagos TinCan Port: Customs, NDLEA Tighten Noose on Transnational Smuggling Syndicates
Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Port Command, NCS
Nigeria’s renewed crackdown on illicit drug trafficking gained fresh momentum recently as operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted another massive consignment of cannabis at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos—barely two weeks after a similar high-profile seizure.
The latest bust, involving over 4,173 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at over ₦16.6 billion, underscores both the persistence of international drug syndicates targeting Nigerian ports and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven enforcement by security agencies.
Addressing journalists during a joint press briefing, Customs authorities, through the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, under whose watch the seizures was effected, disclosed that the seizure followed credible intelligence and coordinated surveillance efforts between the NCS and NDLEA. The illicit consignment, concealed in a 40-foot container originating from Canada, was uncovered during a detailed physical examination by enforcement officers.
Officials described the interception as more than just another routine seizure, warning that it represented a calculated attempt by criminal networks to flood the country with dangerous substances capable of undermining public health and national security.
“This is a clear indication that criminal elements are still determined to exploit our ports. However, it also demonstrates that our officers remain vigilant, focused, and resolute in stopping them,” the Customs Command stated.
Authorities emphasized that beyond the seizure, efforts are underway to track down those behind the shipment, including any collaborators within the system. They issued a stern warning to individuals aiding such operations, noting that no one found compromising national security would be spared.
Handing Over Exercise between Customs and NDLEA
The seized drugs were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
Receiving the consignment, the NDLEA Director of Seaport Operations described the development as a major victory in the ongoing fight against narcotics, noting that the operation was the result of months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and international collaboration.
According to the agency, the container’s movement was closely monitored across multiple countries and transit points—including Canada, Morocco, and onward to Nigeria—highlighting the complex logistics employed by transnational drug trafficking networks.
The Seized Drugs
The NDLEA further revealed that the successful interception was made possible through cooperation with global partners, including law enforcement agencies in North America, reinforcing the importance of cross-border intelligence sharing in combating organised crime.
Security agencies also pointed to a string of recent seizures at Nigerian ports as evidence that strengthened inter-agency collaboration—backed by a newly reinforced operational framework—is beginning to yield tangible results.
Reaffirming their commitment, both agencies vowed to sustain the pressure on drug trafficking networks, intensify surveillance across maritime corridors, and ensure that Nigeria’s ports remain secure for legitimate trade.
The latest seizure sends a strong signal to criminal syndicates: Nigeria’s ports are no longer easy entry points for illicit drugs, as enforcement agencies continue to close ranks against economic sabotage and threats to public safety.
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