Lagos, Nigeria — May 7, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit drug trafficking with the interception of 4,729 kilograms of banned substances valued at over ₦18.9 billion.
The seizure was made in a joint operation involving officers of the Command and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, April 30, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, said the successful operation was driven by credible intelligence and strengthened collaboration between the two agencies.
According to him, the container, which originated from Canada, was initially declared to contain used vehicles. However, a thorough examination revealed 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica concealed alongside one used 2010 Toyota Camry and one used 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.
“The container, which originated from Canada, was initially declared to contain only used vehicles. However, upon thorough examination, it was discovered to contain 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica concealed with one used 2010 Toyota Camry and one used 2023 Chevrolet Colorado,” Onyeka stated.
He disclosed that the seizure comprised 9,458 packages of Cannabis Indica with an estimated street value of ₦18,916,000,000.
The Customs boss noted that the operation aligns with the recent agreement signed on April 27, 2026, between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration against drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Comptroller Onyeka commended the NDLEA for providing the intelligence that led to the interception, while highlighting the sophisticated concealment methods adopted by smugglers.
“These items were intercepted as soon as the vessel berthed at 0300 hours. They were concealed inside vehicles. As I said earlier, it will take you, as a dedicated customs officer, to go through this and identify them. However, it was very easy for us because we had intel from the NDLEA,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the crackdown on smuggling activities, warning economic saboteurs to stay away from the nation’s ports.
“There will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” Onyeka declared.
Receiving the seized items on behalf of the NDLEA, the Commander of the Tincan Island Strategic Command, Solomon Omotosho, praised the Customs Area Controller and his officers for their swift action and professionalism.
Omotosho expressed confidence that the growing collaboration between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to deliver positive results in the fight against drug trafficking in the country.
