The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Command said it handed over illicit drugs worth over N8bn to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the port.
The command disclosed this in a statement on Monday signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Oscar Ivara.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Frank Onyeka, noted that the drugs were intercepted following high-level intelligence by officers of the command in collaboration with men of NDLEA.
Giving details of the seizure, Onyeka explained that different 20ft containers intercepted in batches were falsely declared to contain used cars and used spare parts originating from Canada.
“One 20ft container with registration number TNTCNU 194586/1, intercepted on the 27 of February, was found to contain 128 packets of cannabis indica, weighing 63.75 kilograms with an estimated street value of N414m,” Onyeka said.
“And 1,735 packets of cannabis indica weighing 867.5 kilograms valued at N5.6bn. This brought the total value of the seized drugs to N8bn,” he said.
According to the CAC, the 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 threaten national security and public health.
Onyeka highlighted 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 charged all the stakeholders to support the efforts of the Command in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and ports.
