Tin Can Customs Seizes ₦5.3bn Drugs, Achieves 78% of 2025 Revenue Target

The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and handed over a large consignment of illicit drugs, including 1,171 kilograms of Cannabis Indica and 1.2 kilograms of Hashish Oil, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Command also announced that it has generated ₦1.1 trillion—representing 78 per cent of its ₦1.5 trillion revenue target for 2025.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday at the Command headquarters, where the seized items were displayed. He said the seizures were the result of enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and vigilance among officers.

According to him, the first 40-foot container, numbered HLXU8500072, was intercepted on September 4, 2025. The container, which originated from Montreal, Canada, had a Bill of Lading number HLCUTOR2506000834 and was declared to contain four vehicles. However, a 100 percent physical examination jointly conducted by Customs officers and other government agencies revealed concealed drugs.

“Inside the vehicles, we discovered 156 packets of Colorado Indica (a strain of Cannabis) weighing 78 kilograms, and 1.2 kilograms of Hashish Oil,” Onyeka said. “The substances were extracted, weighed, and secured in our Enforcement Unit pending further action.”

The second container, with registration number FANU312876/9, was intercepted on October 24, 2025, following actionable intelligence. It also contained four vehicles concealing 2,081 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 1,093 kilograms, and eight packages of crystal meth weighing eight kilograms.

The total street value of the illicit substances from both seizures was estimated at ₦5.304 billion.

In line with standard procedures, Comptroller Onyeka said the seized drugs and suspects had been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s laws and international conventions against illicit trade.

“We remain resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in carrying out our mandate. Anyone involved in drug trafficking should desist because the Tin Can Island Port is not a safe haven for criminal activity,” he warned.

He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and welfare initiatives, which he said have boosted the morale of officers across Commands.

Receiving the handover, NDLEA Tin Can Island Port Special Commander, David O. Onyishi, praised the synergy between the two agencies, describing the seizure as a testament to their shared determination to rid Nigerian ports of drug traffickers.

“This operation shows that merchants of death have no future here,” Onyishi said. “Our collaboration is strong, and we are committed to staying ahead of drug importers. The public can be assured that we are working tirelessly to keep our nation safe.”