The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken custody of 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos, in what authorities described as a major blow to transnational drug trafficking syndicates.
Key Highlights:
The illicit consignment was uncovered during a joint examination of two containers by operatives of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Apapa Port on Wednesday, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, Ibinabo Archie-Abia, said the seizure underscored the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating illicit drug trafficking.
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Marwa said the two seizures, recorded on June 15 and June 24, sent a strong warning to organised criminal syndicates operating within and outside Nigeria.
He said: “Through two major seizures recorded on June 15 and June 24, 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.”
According to him, the seizures followed months of intelligence-led operations by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Marwa said investigations revealed that the traffickers deployed complex international shipping routes in a bid to evade security agencies, but NDLEA operatives successfully tracked the consignments across multiple continents before intercepting them in Lagos.
He explained that the first container, marked CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto, Canada, on April 16 and was transported by rail to Montreal before being loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express.
The shipment arrived at Tangier Med Port in Morocco on May 6, where it was transferred to another vessel, Spartel Trader, before arriving at Tin Can Island Port on May 27.
It was later moved to the Global Bonded Terminal and subsequently transferred by water to Apapa Port on June 10, where it was intercepted during a joint examination.
The second container, identified as HAMU 3246311, left Montreal on May 1 aboard Africa Express, was later trans-shipped onto Algeciras Express on May 15 and arrived at Tin Can Island Port before being moved to Apapa Port on June 22, where it was intercepted by security operatives.
Marwa said the agency would not stop at seizing illicit drugs but would intensify efforts to dismantle the financial networks of drug trafficking organisations.
“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.
He commended the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment, describing the operation as a clear demonstration of the gains of intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and coordinated action against transnational organised crime.
Marwa added that the successful interception reinforced the resolve of law enforcement agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime gateways from criminal exploitation.
