Tincan Island Customs Hands Over Illicit Drugs Worth Over N8 Billion to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tincan Island Port Command has handed over illicit drugs valued at over N8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following successful interceptions aided by high-level intelligence gathering.
The Command’s spokesperson, SC Oscar Ivara, disclosed that the handover ceremony took place on Monday, 10 March 2025, at the Enforcement Unit of the Tincan Island Port Command.
Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the Customs Area Controller, presented the seized items to the Commander of NDLEA’s Tincan Island Strategic Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju.
Comptroller Onyeka credited the success of the operation to the effective collaboration between Customs officers and NDLEA operatives.
In his address, Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that the illicit drugs were discovered in two separate 20-foot containers falsely declared to contain used cars and auto spare parts originating from Canada. He provided a detailed breakdown of the intercepted consignments:
The first container, numbered TCNU 194586/1, was intercepted on 27 February 2025. It was found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 63.75 kilograms and valued at ₦414,375,000.
The second container, numbered MSMU 838666/3, was intercepted earlier on 12 December 2024. It contained 97 packets of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 78.3 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N2 billion.
Additionally, the container held 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 867.5 kilograms, valued at N5,638,750,000. The total street value of the seized drugs amounted to N8,053,125,000.
Comptroller Onyeka emphasised that these seizures reflect the Command’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation from the scourge of illicit drugs.
He reiterated the Command’s dual mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while remaining vigilant against threats to national security and public health.
“Our officers will continue to enhance operational strategies, including intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration, to effectively combat smuggling and other illegal activities,” Onyeka stated.
He called on all stakeholders to support the efforts of the Tincan Island Port Command in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports.
