The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies, has seized 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, during a joint operation at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
The seizure, described as one of the largest in recent years, followed months of intelligence gathering and international collaboration aimed at dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria’s maritime gateways.
The illicit consignment was formally handed over to the NDLEA on Wednesday during a ceremony at the Apapa Port, where the agency pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle drug syndicates and prosecute those behind the shipment.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), who was represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, described the interception as a major breakthrough in inter-agency collaboration.
He said the seizure was the outcome of two major interceptions recorded on June 15 and June 24, adding that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence sharing among local and international security agencies.
“Through two major seizures recorded on 15th and 24th June 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,” Marwa said.
According to him, the operation was carried out by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
Marwa disclosed that the drug syndicates employed complex international shipping routes in an attempt to evade security checks but were successfully tracked through sustained intelligence and surveillance.
He explained that one of the containers departed Toronto, Canada, on April 16 before passing through Montreal and Morocco en route to Nigeria, while the second shipment left Montreal on May 1 and followed a separate maritime route before both consignments were intercepted in Lagos.
According to him, “It bears stating clearly how these consignments moved. The first container, CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto on 16th April 2026. In an apparent attempt to evade detection, it was moved by rail to Montreal before being loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express. It arrived at Tangier Med, Morocco, on 6th May 2026, where it was trans-shipped onto the Spartel Trader, which berthed at Tin Can Island Port on 27th May 2026. It was subsequently moved to the Global Bonded Terminal before being transferred by water to Apapa Port on 10th June 2026, where it was intercepted during a joint examination of the shipment between our men, our colleagues from the Customs Service and other security agencies.
“The second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on 1st May 2026 aboard the vessel Africa Express, before being trans-shipped onto the Algeciras Express on 15th May 2026 and arriving at Tin Can Island Port. Following discharge on 4th June 2026, it was moved to Apapa Port on 22nd June 2026, where it fell into the hands of our waiting officers,” he added.
Marwa said the agency’s efforts would not end with the seizure of illicit drugs but would extend to identifying those responsible, confiscating their criminal assets and ensuring they face prosecution.
“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.
The NDLEA boss commended the Nigeria Customs Service and other participating agencies for their professionalism and commitment throughout the operation, describing the successful interception as proof of the gains of inter-agency cooperation.
He also praised the support of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, noting that intelligence sharing with international partners remains critical to disrupting global drug trafficking networks.
Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders from illicit drugs and warned that traffickers would continue to face coordinated enforcement actions aimed at dismantling their operations.