National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken custody of 6,778.5 kilograms of a cannabis strain known as “Canadian Loud” seized at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The illicit consignment, concealed in two containers, was intercepted during a joint operation involving the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies.
The drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA at a ceremony held at the port on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa, represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, described the seizure as a significant milestone in inter-agency collaboration against transnational drug trafficking.
Marwa disclosed that the narcotics were recovered in two separate operations conducted on June 15 and June 24 following months of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance.
According to him, the operation was driven by actionable intelligence developed by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said investigations revealed that the drug trafficking syndicate adopted complex, multi-continent maritime routes in an attempt to evade detection by law enforcement agencies.
Providing details of the shipments, Marwa said the first container, identified as CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto, Canada, on April 16 and was transported by rail to Montreal before being shipped through Tangier Med, Morocco.
He said the container arrived at the Tin Can Island Port on May 27 and was subsequently intercepted at the Apapa Port on June 10.
Marwa added that the second container, marked HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on May 1, was trans-shipped through Algeciras, Spain, discharged at the Tin Can Island Port on June 4, and later moved to Apapa on June 22, where it was intercepted.
He assured that the agency would not stop at confiscating the illicit drugs but would intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal networks behind the shipments.
“The agency remains committed to tracing and disrupting the financial structures supporting these criminal syndicates to ensure they derive no benefit whatsoever from the illicit trade.
“We will also identify, arrest and prosecute all those connected with these shipments in accordance with the law,” he said.
Marwa commended officers of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment throughout the operation.
He described the successful seizure as further evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and cross-border cooperation in combating transnational organised crime.
The NDLEA chairman reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with local and international partners to prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit or destination point for illicit drugs.
