Tin Can Customs Hands Over Illicit Drugs Worth Over ₦8 Billion to NDLEA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tincan Island Port Command has handed over illicit drugs worth over ₦8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The handover ceremony took place on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Enforcement Unit of the Tincan Island Port Command. It was led by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, who presented the seized items to Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Commander of NDLEA Tincan Island Strategic Command.

Comptroller Onyeka stated that the seizures were made possible through high-level intelligence gathering by Customs officers in collaboration with NDLEA operatives. He revealed that the two 20-foot containers, falsely declared as shipments of used cars and auto spare parts from Canada, were intercepted in different operations.

The first container, with number TCNU 194586/1, was intercepted on February 27, 2025, and was found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 63.75 kilograms, with an estimated street value of ₦414,375,000.

The second container, with number MSMU 838666/3, was intercepted on December 12, 2024. It contained 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine, weighing 78.3 kilograms and valued at ₦2 billion, as well as 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 867.5 kilograms and valued at ₦5.64 billion. This brought the total street value of the seized drugs to ₦8,053,125,000.

Comptroller Onyeka reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding national security and public health by intensifying intelligence operations and inter-agency collaboration.

He emphasized that while the Command remains dedicated to trade facilitation, it will continue to enhance strategies to combat smuggling and other illicit activities. He also called on stakeholders in the maritime sector to support the efforts of the Customs Service in protecting Nigeria’s borders and ports.