The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over cannabis-infused products and other illicit drug-related substances worth about N3.67 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.

The substances, seized from two 40-foot containers at the Tin Can Island Port, weighed a combined 1,201.83 kilogrammes. They comprised 890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 598.08 kilogrammes, and 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilogrammes.

Speaking during a press briefing at the port on Friday, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Joseph Anani, said the first seizure was made on September 2, 2026, following a 100 per cent joint physical examination by officers of the Customs Service and the NDLEA.

He said the cannabis-infused cookies and gummies were found in a 40-foot container with the number MSDU655132/0. A used 2008 Mercedes-Benz and a 2012 Nissan Infiniti were also found in the container, bringing the estimated value of the consignment to N53 million.

Anani said the second container, numbered SKU625643/6, was intercepted on September 16. Examination revealed 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica, alongside two used Toyota Sienna vehicles, two used Toyota Corolla vehicles and used engine spare parts.

He put the estimated street value of the second consignment at N3.62 billion, bringing the combined value of the seized substances to about N3.67 billion.

According to him, the seizures resulted from intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration between the Customs Service and the NDLEA.

Anani said the concealment of illicit substances among vehicles and automobile spare parts showed how smugglers were exploiting containerised cargo to move prohibited items into the country.

He said the seized substances would be formally handed over to the NDLEA in line with established Customs procedures for further investigation and other necessary action within the agency’s statutory mandate.

“This partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA remains critical to identifying, intercepting and dismantling the activities of individuals and networks involved in drug trafficking,” he said.

The controller warned smugglers and others involved in the illegal importation of prohibited substances against using the Tin Can Island Port for criminal activities.

He said the command would strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, cargo examination and enforcement operations to prevent prohibited items from entering the country through the port.

Anani also urged importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and other port stakeholders to comply with existing laws, regulations and import procedures, warning against using legitimate trade as a cover for criminal activities.

He commended officers of both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism, saying cooperation between law enforcement agencies remained critical to disrupting drug trafficking networks.

He added that their commitment to duty and willingness to work together had demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling smuggling and other transnational crimes.