The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted concealed pump-action rifle parts and cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures at a press briefing on Thursday. The briefing took place at the Tin Can Island Port Command, according to the Guardian.
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a 20-foot container on 8 July. It had been flagged by the Service’s risk management system for enhanced scrutiny, the Guardian reported.
A physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station uncovered knocked-down components of pump-action rifles hidden inside the container. Customs officers have since assembled 140 of the weapons from the recovered parts, Daily Post Nigeria reported.
Adeniyi said further assembly work was still ongoing on the remaining components at the time of the briefing, Daily Post Nigeria added.
In a separate operation, the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products disguised among legitimate imports. These included used vehicles, pumping generators, polypropylene fabric rolls and tubular batteries, Vanguard reported.
The seizure comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes and valued at ₦308.7 million, according to Vanguard.
A further 125 cartons of Delta-8 gummies weighing 515.2 kilogrammes were valued at ₦40.7 million. Another 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes were valued at ₦24.3 million, Vanguard’s breakdown showed.
The total street value of the illicit substances seized stands at ₦373,802,640, Vanguard confirmed.
Adeniyi told journalists the products were packaged to resemble ordinary snacks. Flavours included citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie, designed to appeal to children and students, Daily Post Nigeria reported.
He warned that unsuspecting consumers could unknowingly ingest the substances because of their deceptive packaging, according to the Daily Post.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures, while the principal suspect remains on the run, Vanguard reported.
The Nigeria Customs Service commended the Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani. Enforcement officers were also praised for their vigilance, Daily Post Nigeria noted.
Adeniyi described the seizures as a significant victory against transnational criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s seaports to smuggle prohibited weapons and narcotics, the Guardian reported.
He said the interceptions reflect the growing sophistication of international syndicates using legitimate trade channels to traffic illicit goods, according to the Guardian.
The Nigeria Customs Service handed over the seized cannabis products to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Tin Can Island Command. NDLEA Commander Augustine Adewunmi received the consignment, Vanguard reported.
Adeniyi assured Nigerians that the Service remains committed to securing the nation’s borders and preventing the importation of prohibited goods.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and organised transnational crime, the Guardian reported.
Investigations into the seizures are ongoing as the Nigeria Customs Service works with sister security agencies to track down the fugitive suspect, Vanguard added.
