Customs smashes smuggling ring at Tin-Can port, seizes illicit drugs worth ₦18.9b

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Compt Frank Onyeka (2nd from right) hands over the seized illicit drugs to the NDLEA Commander at Tin- Can port, S G Omotosho

By Temitope Adebiyi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island port has smashed a transborder smuggling ring.

The gang, which specialise in smuggling illicit drugs and prohibited items into the country through the nation’s sea ports was ambushed by Customs officials conducting examination on imported vehicles and goods inside the port.

Customs officials, it was gathered, monitored the massive consignment of illicit drugs concealed inside imported vehicles for over two days before the clamp down.

Thousands of packages of Canadian loud concealed inside imported vehicles were discovered by officers and men of the service during examination.

The items, it was gathered , were intercepted through a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the Customs in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials.

Addressing reporters during the handover of the seized items, Onyeka disclosed that the container, marked HAMU 429961 and shipped from Canada, was falsely declared to contain only used vehicles.

“Acting on credible intelligence, our officers conducted a 100 per cent physical examination of the container and discovered 185 jumbo bags of cannabis concealed within two imported vehicles,” he said.

He added that the illicit drugs were hidden inside a used 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet vehicle, in a deliberate attempt to evade detection.

“Further examination revealed a total of 9,450 packages of cannabis with a combined weight of 4,729 kilograms and an estimated street value of N18.96 billion,” Onyeka added.
The Customs boss described the seizure as a major breakthrough, noting that it underscores the vigilance, professionalism and dedication of officers, as well as the growing effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration.

“This significant seizure demonstrates the strength of our intelligence-driven operations and the synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister agencies, particularly the NDLEA,” he said.

The Area Controller noted that the interception comes shortly after a formal agreement between the NCS and NDLEA aimed at strengthening cooperation in tackling drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

“As part of the agreement signed on April 27, 2026, both agencies are committed to enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations and the development of coordinated operational guidelines,” he said.
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He added that a standing inter-agency committee has been established, with its headquarters domiciled at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, to ensure seamless collaboration.

The Controller expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for what he described as visionary leadership and support in strengthening operational capacity. He also commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, and his team for their professionalism and commitment to the fight against illicit drugs

While handing over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, he reaffirmed the commitment of the Customs Service to safeguarding national security and public health.

“Today, we hand over these illicit drugs to the NDLEA in line with their statutory mandate for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning to smugglers and criminal networks, stressing that there would be no hiding place for those engaged in illegal activities.

“Let me send a clear message to all smugglers and criminal elements: the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with its partners, is fully prepared to detect, intercept and prosecute all forms of illicit trade. There will be no safe haven for saboteurs,” Onyeka warned.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs for his leadership and support, as well as to the NDLEA and other stakeholders for their continued cooperation.

He also commended the role of the media in promoting public awareness and called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to combat smuggling and illicit drug trafficking.

“The command remains resolute in deploying intelligence-driven strategies and robust enforcement measures to secure our ports and borders,” he said.

in his address, the NDLEA Strategic Commander at Tincan Island Port, S G Omotoso, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and strong inter-agency cooperation that led to the breakthrough.

He assured that the agency would intensify investigations to uncover those behind the shipment, including local collaborators and international syndicates involved in the trafficking network.

Omotoso issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, declaring that Nigeria’s ports are no longer viable channels for illicit drug operations.

He stated that there will be no safe haven for drug traffickers, noting that the NDLEA, in collaboration with sister agencies, is scaling up intelligence, surveillance, and enforcement actions to ensure that perpetrators are not only arrested but diligently prosecuted.

He added that the agency would also go after financiers and sponsors of the illicit trade, stressing that dismantling the entire value chain of drug trafficking remains a top priority.