TinCan Customs Command Hands Over N8bn Worth of Illicit Drugs to NDLEA in Lagos

ZAINAB JUNAID

Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on Monday, March 10, 2025 handed over illicit drugs valued at Eight Billion, Fifty Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira only (8,053,125,000.00) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Lagos.

According to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC OE Ivara, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, who handed over the items to the Commander NDLEA, Tincan Island Strategic Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed that the drugs were intercepted following high-level intelligence gathered by Officers in the Command, in collaboration with the NDLEA.

He explained that the intercepted 2X20FT containers, were falsely declared to contain used cars and used auto spare parts originating from Canada.

The breakdown of the consignments are as follows:

1X20 ft Container No. TCNU 194586/1, intercepted on 27 February 2025, contained 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 63.75 kilograms, with an estimated street value of Four Hundred and Fourteen Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira Only (N414,375,000.00)

The second container, MSMU 838666/3, intercepted on 12 December 2024, contained 97 packets of Crystals Methamphetamine, weighing 78.3 kilograms, valued at Two Billion Naira only (N2,000,000,000.00); and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 867.5 kilograms, valued at Five Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N5,638,750,000).

Part of the Cannabis Indica intercepted and handed over to NDLEA by Customs at TCIP Command, Lagos.

The total street value of the seized drugs is approximately Eight Billion, Fifty Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira only (N8,053,125,000).

According to Comptroller Onyeka, these seizures underscore the Command’s dedication to safeguarding the nation from the menace of illicit drugs.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining vigilance against activities threatening national security and public health.Comptroller Onyeka urged all stakeholders to support the Command’s efforts in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports.