The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth over N8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The handover took place on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the port’s Enforcement Unit.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, the Public Relations Officer of Tin Can Island Port Command.
Customs Intercepts Drug Shipments from Canada
During the brief handover ceremony, Customs Area Controller Frank Onyeka presented the seized items to Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju of the NDLEA Tin Can Island Strategic Command. He revealed that the interceptions were made possible through high-level intelligence gathering by Customs officers in collaboration with NDLEA operatives.
The illicit drugs were concealed in two 20-foot containers falsely declared as shipments of used cars and auto spare parts from Canada.
Breakdown of Seized Drugs
- Container No. TCNU 194586/1 (Intercepted on February 27, 2025)
- 128 packets of Cannabis Indica
- Total weight: 63.75 kg
- Estimated street value: ₦414.37 million
- Container No. MSMU 838666/3 (Intercepted on December 12, 2024)
- 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine
- Total weight: 78.3 kg
- Estimated street value: ₦2 billion
- 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica
- Total weight: 867.5 kg
- Estimated street value: ₦5.64 billion
Total Street Value of Seized Drugs: ₦8.05 billion
Commitment to National Security
Comptroller Onyeka emphasized that these seizures highlight Customs’ commitment to protecting Nigeria from the dangers of drug smuggling. He reaffirmed the Command’s focus on trade facilitation, while ensuring strict enforcement against illegal activities that threaten national security and public health.
He also urged stakeholders and the general public to support Customs’ efforts in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports.
