- Customs Tin Can Island Port Area Controller, Frank Onyeka (right) handing over the documents of the items to the NDLEA Commander, Tin Can Island Strategic Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju…yesterday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over illicit drugs worth over N8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Handing over the items on Monday to the NDLEA Commander, Tin Can Island Strategic Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Customs Area Controller, Frank Onyeka, said the drugs were intercepted through high-level intelligence gathering by customs officers, in collaboration with men of the NDLEA.
Compt. Onyeka disclosed that the 2x20ft containers, which were intercepted in different batches, were falsely declared to contain used cars and used auto spare parts from Canada.
In his breakdown, container No. TCNU 194586/1, which was intercepted on February 27, 2025, had a total of 63.75 kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica in 128 packets, with an estimated street value of N414.375 million.
The second container, with No. MSMU 838666/3, was intercepted on December 12, 2024 and contained 97 packets of Crystals Methamphetamine weighing a total of 78.3 kilogrammes, estimated N2 billion.
It also came with a total of 867.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica in 1,735 packets, with an estimated street value of approximately N5.64 billion, which brings the total street value of the seized drugs to N8.05 billion.
Compt. Onyeka explained that the seizures underscored the command’s dedication to safeguarding the nation from the menace of illicit drugs, according to a statement from Command Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara.
He further reiterated the command’s commitment to facilitating trade, while remaining vigilant against activities that threaten national security and public health.
While urging stakeholders to support the efforts to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports, Onyeka assured 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.
