LEKKI DEEP SEA PORT — OCT 15, 2026— The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has recorded another major drug bust, intercepting a 40ft container laden with 400kg of suspected Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Loud, with a street value of *N2.26 billion*.
The container marked PRSU1562064 was intercepted at Lekki Deep Sea Port and formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in a joint press briefing on Wednesday.
Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi psc, said the seizure was intelligence-driven and demonstrates Customs’ resolve to ensure ports are not exploited as gateways for illicit substances.
How Smugglers Used A4 Paper To Hide Loud
Kukoyi said on August 19, 2026, acting on credible intelligence, officers intercepted the suspicious container which arrived at Lekki Deep Sea Port and was destined for a bonded terminal outside the Command via barge under Customs transire procedure.
Recognizing security risk, the Command proactively stepped it down for further scrutiny.
Scanning revealed anomalies, prompting 100% physical examination jointly conducted by NCS, NDLEA, DSS and NAFDAC at Lekki Freeport Terminal.
Examination uncovered seven pallets. Inside were 400 packages of Cannabis Sativa weighing 400kg, ingeniously concealed inside 798 reams of A4 printing paper to evade detection.
Duty Paid Value is *₦2,262,960,000.00*. Customs Headquarters subsequently approved handover to NDLEA for further investigation.
“This is not merely about 400kg valued at over N2.26bn. It is a significant victory for public safety and national security,” Kukoyi said, warning that illicit drugs fuel addiction, organized crime, insecurity, family disintegration and erosion of human capital.
He said the feat shows effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement, modern scanning technology and inter-agency collaboration, and commended officers, NDLEA Lekki Port Command, DSS, NAFDAC and Lekki Freeport Terminal.
He lauded CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
“As Acting Controller, our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade must never be misconstrued as tolerance for illegality. We maintain zero tolerance for smuggling and drug trafficking,” Kukoyi warned, adding: “Our intelligence network is active and our enforcement resolve is unwavering.”
NDLEA: Lekki Port Now Impervious To Drug Criminals
Receiving the exhibits, Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Jonah Achema, congratulated Kukoyi on his appointment after retirement of Comptroller H.K.A Abubakar, saying the seizure, barely days after takeover, signals readiness to take collaboration and counter-narcotic fight to next level.
“This sends appropriate message to unscrupulous maritime drug criminals that their operations will only end in the drag net,” Achema said.
He described the seizure as 400kg of Cannabis Indica from Thailand, “huge by all standards,” coming after previous seizure of two containers of illicit pharmaceutical opioids — Tramadol 225, Tramaking Royal 250 — weighing 46 tonnes with estimated street value of N35 billion.
Achema said performance aligns with vision of Chairman/CEO Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) anchored on disrupting, dismantling and defeating drug mercantility.
“This container was to be flown even above the Port but was stepped down for 100% examination upon credible intelligence. The Command has almost made Lekki Port impervious for illicit drug shipments,” he said.
He assured Customs and sister agencies of sustained collaboration and vigilance.
Both agencies called on port operators, shipping companies, clearing agents, importers and public to support with timely credible information, stressing ports must remain gateways to prosperity, not corridors for criminality.
