The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially taken custody of 4,173.5 kilograms of cannabis indica valued at more than N10.4 billion following a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Seaport in Lagos.
During the handover ceremony, Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ogboba, revealed that the traffickers used multiple international shipping routes in an attempt to avoid detection by security agencies.
According to her, the container carrying the illegal drugs originated from Toronto, Canada, before being moved by truck and rail to Montreal. It was later shipped through different international ports before arriving at Tin Can Seaport in Lagos on May 9, 2026.
Ogboba explained that the successful interception was made possible through intelligence gathering and collaboration between the NDLEA Marine Intelligence Unit and international security partners, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
She described the seizure as a major victory against criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking, noting that the recovered substances and vehicles linked to the operation would undergo legal forfeiture procedures.
The NDLEA official stated that the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, surveillance operations, and cooperation among local and international law enforcement agencies.
She also praised officers involved in the operation, alongside partner agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority, for their professionalism and dedication.
Ogboba disclosed that the latest operation followed earlier interceptions involving 4,729 kilograms of cannabis indica in April 2026 and another 610.5 kilograms seized days later.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment under the leadership of NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and organised crime.
The official added that the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to strengthen collaboration between both agencies.
Meanwhile, Comptroller of the Tin Can Island Customs Command, Frank Onyema, said the drugs were hidden inside a 40-foot container that was officially declared as carrying only vehicles.
He explained that the container, which originated from Canada, contained over 8,000 packages of cannabis indica concealed inside more than 100 travelling bags.
Onyema described the smuggling attempt as a serious threat to national security and the wellbeing of Nigerian youths.
He assured Nigerians that security agencies would continue to strengthen surveillance and intelligence operations at the nation’s ports while working to identify and prosecute those behind the shipment.
The customs comptroller also warned that any insider found assisting criminal networks would face legal consequences.
