The illicit consignment was officially handed over to the NDLEA during a ceremony at the port on Wednesday following its interception during a joint examination of two containers by operatives of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies.
In a statement, the agency's spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), described the seizure as a landmark achievement made possible through intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration.
Represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, Marwa said the seizures underscored the agency's resolve to dismantle organised drug trafficking networks operating across international borders.
"Through two major seizures recorded on 15 June and 24 June 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders," he said.
According to Marwa, the seizures were the culmination of months of intelligence-led operations coordinated by the NDLEA's Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said the traffickers employed complex maritime routes in an attempt to evade detection, but sustained surveillance enabled operatives to track the consignments across multiple continents before intercepting them in Nigeria.
Providing details of the operation, Marwa said the first container, identified as CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto on 16 April 2026 before being transported by rail to Montreal and loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express. It arrived at Tangier Med, Morocco, on 6 May, where it was trans-shipped onto the Spartel Trader, which berthed at Tin Can Island Port on 27 May.
The container was subsequently moved to the Global Bonded Terminal before being transferred by water to Apapa Port on 10 June, where it was intercepted during a joint examination by the NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies.
He added that the second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on 1 May aboard the vessel Africa Express before being trans-shipped onto the Algeciras Express on 15 May. It arrived at Tin Can Island Port and was transferred to Apapa Port on 22 June, where it was seized by NDLEA operatives.
Marwa said the agency's efforts would extend beyond intercepting illicit consignments to dismantling the financial structures supporting drug trafficking networks.
"We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation, despite the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities.
"As such, we remain resolute. Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, confiscating their criminal assets, and ensuring that they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise," he said.
The NDLEA chairman also commended officers of the agency, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment throughout the operation.
"I commend, in the strongest terms, the dedication, professionalism and courage of the officers and men of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and all sister security agencies who refused to look away and allow these dangerous substances to flood our communities.
"Your patriotism and unwavering commitment have once again proven that you are effective guardians of our maritime gateways.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!