NDLEA catches N12.4bn cannabis shipment at Lagos port, arrests suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stopped a 40-foot container filled with 4,959 kilogrammes of 'Canadian Loud,' a strong type of cannabis worth about N12.4 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

In a statement from Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, on Sunday, the agency said this seizure came after over four weeks of careful surveillance. It happened during a joint inspection with the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, the Nigeria Customs Service, other security agencies, and port workers.

The agency reported that the container left Toronto, Canada, on 25 April and was followed all the way until it reached Nigeria.

“The large illegal drug shipment was loaded into a 40ft container that also contained a Ford and a Nissan vehicle. It was under NDLEA tracking since 25th April 2026 when it arrived in Toronto, Canada by truck, then moved to Montreal by rail on 29th April. It went to Tanger Med in Morocco on 11th May, was loaded onto another ship on 23rd May, and finally arrived at Tincan port in Lagos on 4th June. It was unloaded there on 5th June before the container left Tincan and reached Apapa port on Monday 22nd June,” the statement explained.

These recent seizures come just days after the NDLEA shared its achievements in the fight against drug trafficking. During this year's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the agency said it arrested 29,262 suspected drug traffickers, secured 5,225 convictions, and seized over 5.3 million kilogrammes of illegal drugs worth more than N1.5 trillion in the last 18 months.

The agency mentioned that these numbers highlight its strong efforts in targeting drug trafficking networks that operate through airports, seaports, land borders, and communities across Nigeria.

Mohamed Marwa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, praised the officers from the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, and the commands in Apapa, FCT, Anambra, and Lagos for the recent arrests and seizures. Mr Marwa also acknowledged their work in balancing drug supply reduction efforts with public awareness campaigns through the War Against Drug Abuse campaign. He urged them to keep up the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.