The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing drug interception effort following the seizure of a large consignment of Canadian Loud at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos. The operation involved the interception of narcotics valued at ₦10.4 billion, concealed within imported cargo, as part of intensified monitoring of international trafficking routes into Nigeria.
The agency disclosed that the seizure followed coordinated intelligence gathering and surveillance operations targeting the shipment from its point of origin in Canada through multiple transit routes before arriving in Lagos. The development is part of a broader drug interception effort aimed at disrupting transnational drug syndicates using Nigerian ports for distribution.
According to the NDLEA, the intercepted shipment weighed 4,173.5 kilograms and was concealed inside a container that passed through multiple logistical stages, including rail and maritime transport across international terminals before arriving at the Tincan Island Port. The operation was executed with the support of inter-agency and international security partners.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stated that the container was placed under sustained surveillance before being subjected to a joint inspection. He explained that the agency’s drug interception effort was strengthened through collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and foreign law enforcement agencies involved in tracking illicit shipments.
The agency noted that the drugs were concealed inside two vehicles, a Ford bus and a Mercedes-Benz C300, which were packed within the shipping container. Officials said the concealment method reflected evolving tactics used by international drug trafficking networks to bypass detection systems at ports of entry.
The NDLEA further explained that the shipment had been monitored for weeks as it moved across different countries before reaching Nigeria. It added that intelligence-sharing between international partners contributed significantly to the success of the drug interception effort, which culminated in the seizure at the Lagos port.
The agency also referenced previous related operations in Lagos, indicating a pattern of increased attempts by trafficking networks to flood the Nigerian market with synthetic cannabis variants. Officials stated that these developments have necessitated stronger surveillance mechanisms at seaports and border corridors.
Authorities involved in the operation reiterated that sustained inter-agency collaboration remains central to strengthening national security frameworks against drug trafficking. The NDLEA said its drug interception effort will continue to focus on dismantling supply chains and improving intelligence-led enforcement strategies.
The seized consignment has been secured for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify individuals and networks connected to the shipment.
