Customs, NDLEA Intercept 400kg of Suspected Cannabis Worth ₦2.26bn at Lekki Port

By Stella Okocha

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies, has intercepted 400 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis, popularly known as “Loud,” valued at ₦2.26 billion at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The illicit substance was concealed among 798 reams of A4 printing paper inside a container bearing registration number PRSU1562064, which was scheduled for onward movement by barge to a bonded terminal outside the Lagos Free Trade Zone .The seizure, which took place on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, was made possible through credible intelligence that prompted Customs officers to suspend the container’s movement for further scrutiny.

Speaking at the formal handover of the seized container and its contents to the NDLEA at Lekki Port on Thursday, October 15, 2026, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi, said the interception demonstrated the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling and preventing Nigerian ports from being used as transit points for illicit substances.

Kukoyi explained that the container was initially subjected to non-intrusive scanning, which revealed anomalies that necessitated a comprehensive physical examination.

The examination was subsequently conducted jointly by officers of the NCS, NDLEA, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), alongside relevant port stakeholders.

According to him, the examination uncovered 400 packages of substances suspected to be cannabis, with a total weight of 400 kilogrammes, cleverly concealed among the printing paper in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

He disclosed that the seized consignment had an estimated Duty Paid Value of ₦2,262,960,000.

Following the interception, a detailed report was forwarded to the Customs Headquarters, which approved the formal transfer of the seized container and its contents to the NDLEA for further investigation and appropriate action in accordance with the law.

Kukoyi described the operation as a significant victory for public safety and national security, noting that illicit drugs contribute to addiction, organised crime, insecurity, family disintegration and the loss of productive human capital, particularly among young people.

He attributed the success to intelligence-led enforcement, the deployment of modern Customs technology and effective collaboration among security and regulatory agencies.

The Acting Area Controller commended the NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, DSS, NAFDAC, officers of the Customs Service and the management of Lekki Freeport Terminal for their cooperation throughout the operation.

He also acknowledged the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose policy direction, he said, continued to strengthen the Service’s operational capacity in trade facilitation, revenue generation and enforcement.

Kukoyi stressed that the Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade should not be mistaken for tolerance of illegal activities, warning that the Command would maintain zero tolerance for smuggling, drug trafficking and other forms of economic sabotage.

“Our ports must remain gateways to economic prosperity, not corridors for criminality,” he said, urging port operators, shipping companies, clearing agents, importers and members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.

In his remarks, the Commander of Narcotics and Area Commander of the NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Jonah Achema, commended the Customs Service and other sister agencies for their sustained collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking.

Achema particularly congratulated Kukoyi on his appointment as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, following the retirement of his predecessor, Controller H. K. A. Abubakar.

He described the seizure, coming barely days after Kukoyi assumed leadership of the Command, as a strong indication that inter-agency cooperation and counter-narcotics operations at Lekki Port would be strengthened.

According to him, the development sends a clear warning to criminal networks seeking to exploit maritime routes for the movement of illicit drugs.

Achema described the 400-kilogramme seizure as substantial, adding that it followed other major drug interceptions at the port, including two containers containing illicit pharmaceutical opioids identified as tramadol 225 and Tramaking Royal 250.

He said the previous seizures involved a combined weight of 46 tonnes and an estimated street value of ₦35 billion.

The NDLEA commander attributed the agency’s operational successes to the vision and leadership of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), CFR, OON, whose strategy focuses on disrupting, dismantling and defeating drug trafficking networks.

He further noted that the latest interception followed Marwa’s visit to Lekki Port, describing the operation as evidence of the Command’s sustained vigilance and intelligence-driven approach.

Achema explained that the container had been scheduled to leave the port environment but was stopped for a 100 per cent examination following credible intelligence.

He expressed confidence that the growing partnership between the NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies would continue to frustrate attempts by drug traffickers to use the port for illicit shipments.

The NDLEA commander assured Customs and other sister agencies of the agency’s commitment to sustaining the collaboration that has contributed to the series of seizures recorded at Lekki Port.

The formal handover of the seized container and suspected cannabis marks another joint enforcement effort by the two agencies to curb illicit drug trafficking through Nigeria’s maritime corridors.

Both agencies reiterated their determination to strengthen intelligence sharing, surveillance and coordinated operations to protect public health, secure the nation’s borders and ensure that legitimate trade through Lekki Port is not undermined by criminal activities.