Customs Intercept Passenger Smuggling N290 Million Worth of Cannabis at Lagos Airport
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Area Command, has intercepted a passenger arriving from Canada with 142 parcels of cannabis, commonly known as Canadian Loud, worth an estimated N290 million.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Effiong Harrison, confirmed the seizure on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. According to him, customs officers flagged the suspect during routine passenger profiling due to his suspicious behavior. A subsequent search of his luggage led to the discovery of the concealed illicit substances.
Highlighting the gravity of the seizure, Comptroller Harrison stated, “Such substances pose a serious security threat and have devastating effects on our youth and the economy.” He reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to national security and the ongoing fight against smuggling and drug trafficking.
In line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to enhance inter-agency cooperation, the seized drugs, the suspect, and his passport were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
Receiving the suspect and contraband, the Commander of Narcotics and Head of Operations, MMIA Command, Muhammad-Tukur Ahmad, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its continued collaboration in tackling drug-related crimes. He assured the public that the NDLEA would conduct a thorough investigation to uncover all individuals linked to the case.
“Drug interceptions at this airport are not new, and we will ensure those responsible face the full weight of the law. The public will be updated on the investigation’s progress in due course,” Ahmad stated.
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