The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1.2 tonnes of suspected illicit drugs valued at ₦3.674bn in two 40-foot containers imported from Canada.
The seizures, made on September 2 and 16, 2026, comprised 890 packs of Delta-8 cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 598.08 kilogrammes and 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilogrammes.
The substances were concealed among imported used vehicles and automobile spare parts, according to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Oscar Ivara.
Speaking on the seizures, Controller of the command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, said the prohibited substances were discovered during joint physical examinations conducted by officers of the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Anani said the first 40-foot container, identified as MSDU655132/0, was intercepted on September 2. A 100 per cent joint physical examination revealed 890 packs of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, alongside a 2008 Mercedes-Benz and a Nissan Infiniti, both used vehicles.
The second container, with identification number SKU625643/6, was intercepted on September 16. He said examination uncovered 1,207 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 603.75 kilogrammes.
The container also carried two used Toyota Sienna vehicles, two used Toyota Corolla vehicles and used engine spare parts.
According to Anani, intelligence gathered by the agencies traced both consignments to Canada.
He said the seizures highlighted smugglers’ attempts to exploit containerised cargo and legitimate imports to bring prohibited substances into the country.
The Controller disclosed that the seized substances would be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and other necessary actions within its statutory mandate.
He stressed that collaboration between Customs and the NDLEA remained critical to identifying and disrupting drug trafficking networks operating through the nation’s seaports.
Anani commended officers of both agencies for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to duty, describing effective inter-agency cooperation as a vital tool in combating smuggling and other transnational crimes.
He warned individuals involved in the illegal importation of prohibited substances to desist, insisting that Tin Can Island Port would not serve as a safe haven for smugglers.
He added that the command would continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, cargo examination and enforcement operations in collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies.
The Customs chief also urged importers, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and other port stakeholders to comply with existing laws, regulations and import procedures, warning against the use of legitimate trade as a cover for criminal activities.
He appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership, strategic guidance and continued support for operational effectiveness across Customs commands.
Also speaking, the Commander of the NDLEA Tin Can Island Port Strategic Command, Solomon Omotosho, warned that cannabis-infused cookies and gummies posed serious health risks, particularly because unsuspecting consumers could purchase and consume them without knowing they contained psychoactive substances.
Omotosho explained that consuming the products could affect the central nervous system and trigger serious health complications.
He expressed concern that the products could find their way into supermarkets and other retail outlets, exposing unsuspecting members of the public to involuntary drug consumption.
“Cookies are dangerous because innocent people won’t know and buy at supermarket and they will start exhibiting health issues. It affects the central nervous system,” he said.
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