The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying concealed Delta-8 cannabis products valued at almost ₦400 million at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in Lagos during the formal handover of the seized substances to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and action.
According to Adeniyi, the consignments contained cannabis-infused pre-rolled products, gummies and cookies concealed among other imported goods in the two containers.
He said Customs had completed the inventory and valuation of the seized substances before handing them over to the NDLEA, in line with the Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration in combating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria’s ports.
“The street value is almost as high as N400 million,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the seizure demonstrated the importance of coordinated action among security and regulatory agencies in preventing prohibited substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
“This handover tool reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that prohibited drugs intercepted in our ports do not find their way into Nigerian communities,” he said.
The Customs chief said he was also scheduled to attend a town hall meeting with the Chairman of the NDLEA at Navy Town, Ojo, to discuss the destruction of seized narcotics.
He said the substances scheduled for destruction had been seized through operations conducted by Customs, the NDLEA and joint operations involving both agencies.
Receiving the seized drugs on behalf of the NDLEA, the agency’s representative commended Customs for what he described as effective inter-agency collaboration.
“On behalf of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, I would like to thank you for all your efforts and assistance and the inter-agency collaboration that is working,” he said.
He disclosed that the NDLEA was investigating a suspect linked to the seizure and said the information from the handover would assist investigators in conducting a thorough investigation.
The NDLEA representative also referenced memoranda of understanding between the two agencies, saying the collaboration was producing results through intelligence gathering, monitoring and information management.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the handover demonstrated the agencies’ collective responsibility for national security.
Anani said effective border management required not only enforcement but also sustained cooperation among security and regulatory agencies.
“The handover taking place today, therefore, represents more than a transfer of items. It is a symbol of intelligence cooperation, accountability, and our shared responsibility to protect the peace and security of our dear nation, Nigeria,” he said.
The Customs Service said the operation underscored its continued efforts to prevent illicit goods and controlled substances from entering the country through Nigeria’s ports.
