Customs Intercepts Two 40ft Containers of Illicit Drugs Worth N3.6bn at Tin Can Port

By Stella Okocha 

The TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with illicit drugs valued at over N3.6 billion.

The Area Controller of the Command, Comptoller Joe Anani, disclosed this on Friday, October 9, 2026, during a press briefing at the port, where the seized drugs were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He said the seizures were made through sustained vigilance and effective collaboration between officers of the NCS and the NDLEA.

According to him, “the first container with number *MSDU655132/0* was intercepted on September 2, 2026. A 100 percent joint physical examination revealed *890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies* weighing *598.08 kilograms*, concealed alongside two used vehicles — a 2008 Mercedes Benz and a 2012 Nissan Infiniti”.

“The second container with number *SKU625643/6* was intercepted on September 16, 2026. Examination of the container revealed *1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica* weighing *603.75 kilograms* with an estimated street value of N3.621 billion”.

Other items found in the second container were two used Toyota Sienna vehicles, two used Toyota Corolla vehicles, and used engine spare parts.

The Controller said the concealment of the illicit substances among vehicles and automobile spare parts highlights the desperation of smugglers to exploit containerised cargo; and In total, the two seizures amount to 1,201.83 kilograms of suspected illicit substances.

Anani announced that in line with established procedures, the seized substances will be handed over to the NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command for further investigation and necessary action.

Commending officers of both agencies for their gallantry and professionalism, Compt Joe said effective inter-agency collaboration remains a potent weapon against smuggling and transnational crimes.

“Let me use this opportunity to send a clear and unequivocal message to smugglers: desist from these criminal activities immediately. TinCan Island Port is not a safe haven for smugglers or criminal enterprises,” he warned.

He urged importers, licensed customs agents and freight forwarders to comply fully with extant import laws, noting that legitimate trade must not be used as cover for criminality.

The Controller also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his leadership and strategic support.