… handed over to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has intercepted 400 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis valued at over ₦2.26 billion at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, in a major crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.
The consignment, comprising 400 packages of suspected cannabis, popularly known as Loud, was discovered concealed among 798 reams of A4 printing paper in a container destined for onward movement to a bonded terminal outside the Command.
The seizure followed credible intelligence that prompted Customs officers to flag the container for inspection. A non-intrusive scan revealed suspicious anomalies, leading to a joint physical examination involving the NCS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Following the discovery, the seized consignment was formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Kukoyi Vows Zero Tolerance for Drug Trafficking
Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi, Acting Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, described the interception as a significant victory for public safety and national security.
He noted that illicit drugs contribute to addiction, organised crime and insecurity, stressing the need for sustained vigilance and effective collaboration among security agencies.
Kukoyi commended the officers involved in the operation and praised the cooperation of sister agencies, describing the seizure as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining zero tolerance for smuggling and drug trafficking.
The Acting Controller also acknowledged the leadership and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, whose policy focus on consolidation, collaboration and innovation, he said, continues to strengthen the Service’s capacity in trade facilitation, revenue generation and enforcement.
He stressed that the operation demonstrated the resolve of the Service to ensure that Nigerian ports remain gateways to economic prosperity rather than conduits for criminal activities.
Kukoyi urged port operators, shipping companies, clearing agents and members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely intelligence to relevant security agencies.
NDLEA Hails Inter-Agency Collaboration
Speaking during the handover, Jonah Achema, Area Commander and Commander of Narcotics at the NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, commended the synergy between Customs and other security agencies.
Achema described the seizure of 400 kilogrammes of cannabis, identified in his remarks as Cannabis indica and reportedly imported from Thailand, as a landmark achievement.
He noted that the operation was the first major interception under Kukoyi, who assumed office as Acting Customs Area Controller following the retirement of Controller H.K.A. Abubakar.
According to him, the swift success sends a strong signal about the new leadership’s determination to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and intensify efforts against drug trafficking.
The NDLEA official said the latest interception adds to previous major seizures at Lekki Port, including two containers carrying 46 tonnes of illicit pharmaceutical opioids with an estimated street value of ₦35 billion.
He attributed the agency’s successes to the intelligence-driven approach and vigilance being sustained at the port, adding that the measures were making Lekki Port increasingly difficult for drug traffickers to exploit.
Achema said the Command’s achievements aligned with the vision of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks.
He pledged continued collaboration with Customs and other relevant agencies to prevent illicit drug shipments from entering the country through Nigeria’s maritime gateways.