The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tin Can Island Port Command has intercepted *185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica* worth ₦18.9 billion* in what officials call one of the largest single drug seizures at the port this year.
The consignment, concealed in a container declared as used vehicles, was discovered during a100% physical examination* by Customs officers. It contained 9,458 packages weighing 4,729kg of Cannabis Indica, hidden alongside a Toyota Camry and *Chevrolet Colorado
The drugs originated from Canada and were intercepted before they could hit Nigerian streets.
Formal Handover to NDLEA
On Monday,the Tin Can Island Command formally handed over the seized consignment to the *National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and prosecution.
The handover marks the first major joint operation under a new inter-agency pact signed on April 27, 2026, between the NDLEA and NCS to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint enforcement against drug trafficking.
“This operation demonstrates the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders against illicit drugs,” a senior Customs official said at the handover.
The seizure is significant for three reasons:
1. Scale: At ₦18.9 billion, this is one of the largest cannabis seizures at Tin Can Port in recent years. The 4,729kg haul represents a serious blow to transnational drug syndicates.
2. Concealment Method: The drugs were hidden in a container declared as used vehicles — a common smuggling tactic. Customs’ 100% physical examination protocol proved effective in uncovering the contraband.
3. Inter-Agency Cooperation: The April 27, 2026 pact between NDLEA and NCS is already yielding results. The agreement focuses on real-time intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated prosecution of drug traffickers.
The Tin Can seizure comes amid a broader crackdown on narcotics across Nigerian ports.
Customs Area Controllers across commands have been tasked by CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to prioritize anti-smuggling operations, particularly on narcotics and other prohibited items and the command has been working round the clock to ensure that no contraband passes within their area of operation without the eagle-eyed officers trailing them and confiscating them.
The NDLEA is expected to begin immediate investigation into the origin, destination, and network behind the shipment.
Customs has also reiterated that it will continue to deploy advanced intelligence, technology, and risk management tools to intercept illicit goods.
“The message is clear,” a Customs source said. “Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe passage for drug traffickers. We will catch them, and we will hand them over for prosecution.”
As inter-agency collaboration deepens, the ₦18.9 billion seizure may be just the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking.