Customs Hands Over Illicit Drugs, Other Items Worth Over ₦3.6bn To NDLEA

The TinCan Island Port Command of the The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again prevented the abuse and spread of illicit drugs disguised as cookies by unscrupulous elements to deceive the youths and unsuspecting innocent citizens from unknowingly consuming hard drugs.

This was revealed during an official handover of intercepted illicit items to representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday, 9 October 2026 by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Joe Anani.

At the brief handover ceremony, Comptroller Joe Anani, warned against importing Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, saying sustained vigilance and effective collaboration with sister security agencies made the success possible.

Giving account of the seizure, Anani said "On 2 September 2026, a 40-foot container with number MSDU655132/0 was intercepted at Tin Can Island Port. Following a thorough 100 percent joint physical examination, we found a total of 890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, with a combined weight of 598.08 kilograms, alongside two used vehicles, namely a 2008 Mercedes-Benz and a 2012 Infiniti," he said.

Anani added that another 40-foot container with number SKU625643/6 was found containing 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilograms, with an estimated street value of ₦3,621,000,000. The combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of both seizures is estimated at ₦3,674,400,000.

In line with established procedures and a commitment to effective inter-agency collaboration, the Commandant formally handed over the illicit substances to the NDLEA representative for further investigation and necessary action within its statutory mandate.

Receiving the items, the Commandant of the NDLEA, TinCan Strategic Command, Commander Solomon Omotosho, highlighted the public safety concerns, especially for minors, saying, "As it stands, what we are seeing today is not ordinary cookies because innocent children can buy them and consume them unknowingly. I want to sound a warning to criminals and their associates that there will be a no-go area for any form of unwanted activities," he said.

Omotosho described the operational success as a triumph of joint enforcement synergy and a signal to smugglers and others involved in transnational crimes that the Command remains committed to protecting the national interest.

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