The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized illicit drugs valued at N682 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The confiscated drugs, weighing 341.025 kg, consist of 684 packets of Cannabis Indica imported from Canada.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, the Controller in charge of Tin Can Command, disclosed that the drugs were smuggled into the country in three containers aboard vessels belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Acting on intelligence, the Command intercepted the containers and uncovered the illegal substances.
Nnadi explained that: “Based on actionable intelligence, the Command identified the suspicious importation of dangerous drugs from a known source country. We intercepted three containers, which we are presenting today. The drugs extracted from these containers are being handed over to the NDLEA Tin Can Island Port Command as part of our ongoing interagency collaboration and the MoU between NCS and NDLEA.”
He further revealed that several more containers of similar content could be handed over in the coming weeks, following consultations with Customs headquarters.
Providing specifics on the seized shipments, Nnadi said the first container, numbered MSMU 518030/2, was intercepted on August 2, 2024, during a joint 100% physical examination. Inside were 77 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 38.5 kg. The initial declaration made on July 30, 2024, listed three used vehicles as the content of the container.
In another instance, on August 8, 2024, a joint inspection of container number MSMU 602957/0 led to the discovery of 532 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 265.025 kg. No declaration had been made on this shipment, and it was also transported by MSC.
A third container, numbered FSCU 927461/3, was inspected the same day and yielded 75 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 37.5 kg. Similarly, no declaration was made for this shipment, which was also carried by MSC.
Nnadi confirmed that investigations by both the Customs Command and the NDLEA are ongoing, with updates on the interdiction, arrest and prosecution expected from the NDLEA. “In line with our collaboration, the Command is handing over all 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 341.025 kg, with a total street value of N682,050,000,” he stated.
He also assured the public that the Command, alongside other security and regulatory agencies, would continue to use every available resource and strategy to combat the illegal importation of dangerous substances.
In his remarks, Deputy Commander Adanu Eno of the NDLEA Tin Can Island Port Command lauded the close collaboration between the two agencies. “What we are witnessing today is the result of the combined efforts of Customs and NDLEA. With this and previous seizures, Customs has once again demonstrated its vigilance in preventing the smuggling of illicit drugs into the country,” Eno said.
