By Joy Enamuna
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has taken custody of 4,173.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, describing the operation as a significant setback for international drug trafficking networks.
The illicit consignment was seized during a joint operation involving the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service, following months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, the Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba, said the recovered drugs had an estimated street value of over ₦10.4bn.
He noted that the successful interception highlighted the growing effectiveness of collaboration between Nigerian security agencies and international partners in combating transnational drug crimes.
Ogboba stated that the operation was aimed at protecting Nigerians from the destructive activities of criminal syndicates driven by profit without regard for public safety and health.
According to him, the container carrying the drugs had been under surveillance for more than two months through intelligence shared between the NDLEA Marine Intelligence Unit and foreign agencies, including the United States Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Investigations revealed that the shipment originated from Toronto, moved through Montreal by road and rail transport, before being shipped through Tanger Med Port and eventually arriving in Lagos on May 9, 2026.
The NDLEA official commended the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and other security agencies for their professionalism during the joint examination that led to the discovery.
He added that the interception reflected the impact of the renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and the Customs Service.
Ogboba explained that the seizure was the outcome of extensive intelligence gathering, strategic monitoring, and sustained tracking of the container from March until its eventual interception.
The agency disclosed that the exhibits would undergo legal procedures for final forfeiture in line with existing laws.
He further revealed that the latest recovery followed earlier interceptions of 4,729kg of Cannabis Indica on April 27 and another 610.5kg seizure on April 30, 2026.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the anti-narcotics campaign, Ogboba said the NDLEA, under the leadership of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), would continue to work with relevant agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain.
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