Customs Intercepts ?5.3bn Worth of Illicit Drugs Concealed in Imported Vehicles at Tin Can Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has intercepted two containers laden with illicit drugs valued at ?5.304 billion, concealed within imported vehicles.

This was disclosed in a Friday statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC O. E. Ivara, following a media briefing by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, who described the operation as a clear demonstration of the Command’s determination to safeguard Nigeria’s borders and enforce international trade compliance.

According to Comptroller Onyeka, the first container — HLXU8500072, with Bill of Lading Number HLCUTOR2506000834 — originated from Montreal, Canada, and was intercepted on September 4, 2025, following coordinated intelligence-led enforcement.

Upon joint examination with other relevant agencies, the container was found to contain four vehicles concealing 156 packets of Colorado Indica (a potent strain of cannabis) weighing 78 kilograms and 1.2 kilograms of Hashish Oil.

The second container, FANU312876/9, was intercepted on October 24, 2025, also carrying four vehicles. Inside, Customs officers uncovered 2,081 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 1,093 kilograms and eight packages of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing eight kilograms.

The seized narcotics have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with inter-agency collaboration protocols.

“Let it be known that Tin Can Island Port Command, under my watch, remains resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in enforcing the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory,” Comptroller Onyeka stated.

He warned individuals and syndicates involved in illicit drug smuggling that their actions threaten national security and public health, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency synergy.

Comptroller Onyeka also commended the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, and other security partners for their continued collaboration, while appreciating the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership support.

Receiving the seized items, NDLEA Tin Can Strategic Commander, Commander Daniel Onyishi, praised the Customs Service for its vigilance and professionalism, describing the handover as a testament to the strong collaboration between both agencies.

“The NDLEA remains resolute in ensuring that all seized substances are thoroughly investigated and disposed of in accordance with established legal procedures,” Onyishi said, reaffirming the agency’s readiness to strengthen cooperation in the collective pursuit of a drug-free Nigeria.