By Andrew Utulu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Tincan Island Port Command, has handed over intercepted and seized illicit drugs worth over N8billion to the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The handing over of the illicit drugs was took place on Monday March 10, 2025, and performed by the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.
O E Ivara, Customs Public Relations Officer of the Command disclosed in a statement.
Ivara, a Superintendent of Customs (SC), said that in a brief handing over ceremony held in the Enforcement Unit of the Tincan Island Port Command, “the Customs Area Controller, Frank Onyeka, who handed over the items to the Commander NDLEA, Tincan Island Strategic Command Mitchell Ofoyeju, noted that the drugs were intercepted due to high level of intelligence gathered by officers in the Command, in collaboration with the men of the NDLEA.”
Speaking further, Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that the 2X20FT containers which were intercepted in different batches, were falsely declared to contain used cars and used auto spare parts originating from Canada.
He gave the breakdown of the consignments as follows: 4. 1X20 ft container no. TCNU 194586/1, which was intercepted on the February 27, 2025, adding that it was found to contain 128 packets of cannabis indica, which weighed a total of 63.75 kilograms with an estimated street value of N414,375,000.00
The second container with no. MSMU 838666/3, according to the Customs boss, was intercepted on December 12, 2024 and was found to contain 97 packets of crystals methamphetamine, weighing a total of 78.3 kilograms with an estimated street value of N2,000,000,000.00 and 1,735 packets of cannabis indica with a total weight of 867.5 kilograms and an estimated street value of N5,638,750,000.00, which brought the total street value of the seized drugs to N8,053,125,000.00.
Comptroller Onyeka noted that these seizures underscored the Command’s dedication to safeguarding the Nation from the menace of illicit drugs.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to facilitating trade, while remaining vigilant against activities that threatens National Security and public health.
He pointed out that the Command would continue to enhance its operational strategies, including intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration, to effectively combat smuggling and other illicit activities.
He used the medium to urge all stakeholders to support the efforts of the Command in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports.
