Customs intercept rifles, cannabis snacks worth N374m at Tin Can

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized a significant cache of illegal goods at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, including 140 pump-action rifles and a large quantity of cannabis-infused food products. The total value of the intercepted items is estimated at N373.8 million.

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The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday while highlighting major enforcement operations carried out by the TinCan Island Port Command.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, revealed that the rifles were found as knock-down components in a container and were in the process of assembly. A primary suspect was apprehended on July 31 while attempting to release the container, with financial and telecommunications evidence linking them to the shipment. Two other suspects are in custody, and a third remains at large.

The seizure also included two 40-foot containers filled with cannabis-infused products, such as Delta-8 cookies, gummies, and other cookies, concealed among legitimate imports like vehicles and generators. The drugs, weighing hundreds of kilograms, were valued at over N308 million. Adeniyi cautioned that these products were deceptively packaged with appealing flavors to attract children and young people, posing a risk to unsuspecting consumers.

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Adeniyi warned that the products were attractively packaged with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie to resemble ordinary snacks and appeal to children, students and other young people.

The Customs boss commended the TinCan Island Port Command for their vigilance and reiterated the service's commitment to securing national borders against illicit arms and drug trafficking. He also acknowledged the collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and urged the public to provide intelligence for anti-smuggling efforts.

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He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders and prosecuting those involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and dangerous drugs.