Contraband Crackdown: NCS Intercepts Rifle Parts, Cannabis, Other Illicit Products Worth N373.8m at TinCan Port

Rahanetu Abuh

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing parts of pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products with an estimated street value of ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command, in what the Service described as another major success in its ongoing anti-smuggling operations.

 

 

The seizures were announced on Thursday during a press briefing held at the Command’s Enforcement Unit in Lagos by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Speaking at the briefing, Adeniyi commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command, the Customs Enforcement Unit, and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment in combating illicit trade.

 

He reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders and prevent criminal networks from using the nation’s ports as channels for trafficking prohibited items.

 

According to the Customs boss, the interception of the firearm components followed intelligence-driven surveillance after Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s risk management system for detailed examination.

 

He said a thorough physical inspection at the Customs Enforcement Station uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.

 

“The recovered components are currently undergoing technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration,” Adeniyi stated.

 

He disclosed that investigations into the shipment led to the arrest of one suspect on July 31, 2026, at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.

 

According to him, documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established links between the suspect and the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account associated with the consignee on the day of the arrest.

 

He added that two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by law enforcement agencies.

 

In a separate operation, Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers concealing cannabis-infused products among legitimate imports, including two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.

 

The seizures comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces weighing 17.44 kilograms and valued at ₦308.79 million; 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs weighing 515.2 kilograms worth ₦40.7 million; and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies comprising 442 packs weighing 309.4 kilograms valued at ₦24.31 million. Altogether, the illicit substances have an estimated street value of ₦373,802,640.

 

While taking journalists round the Enforcement Unit to inspect the seized items, the Deputy Strategic Commander of Tincan Island Port, Adewunmi Sunday Augustine, said the successful interception was the product of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance rather than routine cargo examination.

 

“These are cookies and smoothies. Based on the intelligence that has been working on them for some time, this job is not all about the examination that was conducted a few days ago, but it has taken intelligence gathering and monitoring. These are cookies containing drugs, cannabis sativa.

 

“The targets are our youths and children. The source is from the United States and, as it is, we have two suspects in our custody and we are working on it,” Augustine told journalists.

 

Adeniyi said the seizures reflect the growing sophistication of transnational criminal syndicates that conceal prohibited weapons and narcotic substances within legitimate cargo destined for the country’s seaports.

 

He noted that the successful interceptions further demonstrate the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, robust risk management system and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies.

 

Reaffirming the Service’s determination to dismantle criminal networks, the Comptroller-General declared, “Nigeria’s ports will never be safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods.”

 

He also praised officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and dedication, while acknowledging the support of partner security and law enforcement agencies.

 

The CGC assured Nigerians that the Service would remain steadfast in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited goods. He also urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and organised transnational crime.

 

The Nigeria Customs Service added that investigations are ongoing and assured that the public would be kept informed as prosecutions commence.