Customs Seizes 140 Rifles, Cannabis-Infused Products Worth N373.8m At Lagos Port
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products with a combined street value of N373.8 million at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
The seizures were recorded during recent anti-smuggling operations carried out by the TinCan Island Port Command, according to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
Adeniyi disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing, where he explained that customs officers discovered concealed components of pump-action rifles inside a container on July 8.
He said officers had so far assembled 140 rifles from the recovered components, while work was still underway to put together the remaining parts.
The customs chief also disclosed that a principal suspect was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while trying to facilitate the release of the container.
According to Adeniyi, financial and telecommunications records obtained during the investigation established links between the suspect and the shipment.
He said two suspects were in custody and assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being pursued by security agencies.
Customs Intercepts Cannabis-Infused Food
The NCS also announced the interception of two 40-foot containers containing cannabis-infused products concealed among imported goods such as vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
According to Adeniyi, the items included 8,720 Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes and valued at N308.7 million.
Customs officers also recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2 kilogrammes and worth N40.7 million.
Another seizure involved 873 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies. The products weighed 309.4 kilogrammes and were valued at N24.3 million.
Adeniyi put the total street value of the cannabis-infused products at N373.8 million.
He said the products were packaged in ways that made them appear like regular snacks. Some carried flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie.
According to him, the presentation could make the products particularly appealing to children, students and other young people, with unsuspecting consumers at risk of taking cannabis without knowing it.
Adeniyi commended Joseph Anani, the TinCan Island Port area controller, as well as officers of the command’s enforcement unit for their vigilance and professionalism.
He also reaffirmed the customs service’s determination to protect Nigeria’s borders and ensure that people involved in the movement of illicit firearms and dangerous drugs face prosecution.
The CGC acknowledged the cooperation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and called on Nigerians to provide credible information that could assist authorities in tackling smuggling.
NDLEA Raises Public Safety Concern
Receiving the seized products, Augustine Adewunmi, commander of narcotics at the NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and smoothies as an emerging public safety concern.
Adewunmi said the products were imported from the United States and presented as vegan snacks with flavours such as citrus, vanilla and peach to disguise their true nature.
He warned that their packaging and presentation appeared designed to attract children, students and clubgoers, which could increase the possibility of accidental consumption.
The NDLEA commander said two suspects had been arrested and that investigations were continuing.
He urged parents, schools and members of the public to exercise caution, noting that consumption of the products could introduce concentrated cannabis into the body.