The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has formally taken custody of 4,173.5kg (4.17 tonnes) of Cannabis Indica worth N10.4 billion intercepted at Tin Can Seaport by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The contraband concealed in a container was moved from Toronto to Montreal by truck and rail and by sea via Tanger Med Port before arriving in Lagos on 9 May 2026.

At the handover on Wednesday, ACG Archieabia Ibinabo Ogboba said that the seizure reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led collaboration between Nigerian and international security agencies.

He noted that the consignment was tracked for over two months through intelligence sharing between NDLEA’s Marine Intelligence Unit and foreign partners, including the United States (US).

Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Ogboba added: “This is an auspicious event where Nigeria is being defended from the daring and wicked activities of criminal merchants who are more concerned with profiteering than with the lives, health, and well-being of innocent citizens.”

He commended the professionalism of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Port Authority, and other security agencies involved in the joint examination that led to the recovery.

He said the operation underscores the impact of the renewed Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NCS.

He said: “This seizure is not merely about yesterday’s examination and discovery. It is the positive outcome of painstaking intelligence gathering, sustained surveillance, and strategic trailing of the container from March up until yesterday.”

Ogboba noted the operation follows recent NDLEA interceptions of 4,729kg of Cannabis Indica on 27 April and 610.5kg on 30 April 2026.

He reaffirmed that under the leadership of Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON, the agency remains resolute in its mandate to rid Nigeria of narcotics and protect public health and national security.