Customs Seizes ₦18.96bn Cannabis Hidden in Cars Shipped from Canada at Lagos Tincan Port

Nigeria Customs officers at Tincan Island Command in Lagos have seized 4,729 kilograms of cannabis — worth an estimated ₦18.96 billion — hidden inside imported vehicles shipped from Canada. It is one of the largest single drug busts recorded at the port.

The Customs Area Controller, Frank Onyeka, announced the interception at a press briefing Thursday, describing it as the result of an intelligence-driven operation conducted jointly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

How the Drugs Were Hidden

The consignment arrived in a container marked HAMU 429961, falsely declared to contain used vehicles only. Acting on credible intelligence, Customs officers conducted a full physical examination and found 185 jumbo bags of cannabis packed inside a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet — “in a deliberate attempt to evade detection,” Onyeka said.

When fully counted, the haul came to 9,450 packages of cannabis weighing 4,729 kilograms and valued at ₦18.96 billion at street prices.

A New NCS-NDLEA Partnership at Work

Onyeka pointedly noted that the bust came shortly after a formal cooperation agreement signed between the NCS and NDLEA on April 27, 2026 — just days before the seizure. Under that deal, both agencies committed to enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated enforcement guidelines. A standing inter-agency committee has been established, headquartered at the NDLEA in Abuja, to manage ongoing collaboration.

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

The Bigger Picture

Nigeria’s ports have become a recurring entry point for large drug consignments hidden in legitimate cargo. The Canada-Nigeria route is particularly notable — several major drug hauls over the past two years have traced back to shipments originating from or transiting through Canada. The scale of this seizure, nearly ₦19 billion in street value, suggests a well-resourced trafficking operation, not opportunistic smuggling.

No arrests were announced at the press briefing. The matter has been referred to the NDLEA for prosecution.

Sources: Punch Newspapers, New Telegraph, Leadership Newspaper