Tincan Customs Records Significant Operational Breakthrough in Anti-Drug War

…Hands Over 4.7 Tonnes of Cannabis to NDLEA

By Lucy Nyambi

Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, have intercepted 4,729 kilograms of illicit substances valued at over ₦18.9 billion in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this on Thursday, 30 April, during a press briefing at the Command, attributing the success to credible intelligence and strengthened collaboration between Customs officers and NDLEA operatives.

“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”, he said.

According to him, the operation, which comprised 9,458 packages of Cannabis Indica, with an estimated street value of ₦18,916,000,000, aligns with a recent agreement signed on 27 April 2026 between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), to strengthen synergy against drug trafficking.

Comptroller Onyeka commended the NDLEA for providing the intelligence that led to the breakthrough, stressing the level of concealment used 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”, Comptroller Onyeka said.

Reaffirming the Command’s resolve, the Onyeka warned smugglers to desist, stressing that the Service, in collaboration with its partners, remains fully prepared to detect, intercept, and prosecute offenders. “There will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs”, he declared.

Upon receiving the illicit items, the NDLEA Commander at the Tincan Island Strategic Command, Solomon Omotosho, commended the Area Controller and his team for their swift response and expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between the two agencies would continue to yield positive results.