The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products worth N373.8 million during separate operations at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
The seizures were announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, during a press briefing on Thursday, where he described the operations as a major breakthrough in the fight against arms smuggling and illicit drug trafficking.
According to Adeniyi, Customs operatives intercepted a container on July 8 carrying concealed knock-down parts of pump-action rifles.
He disclosed that officers have so far assembled 140 pump-action rifles from the recovered components, while work is still ongoing to assemble additional parts found in the shipment.
The Customs boss revealed that one of the principal suspects was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while attempting to process the release of the container.
He added that investigations involving financial transactions and telecommunications records linked the suspect to the illegal shipment.
Adeniyi said two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while security agencies have launched a manhunt for another key suspect who remains at large.
In a separate operation, the Customs Service also intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused food products concealed among imported goods, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The seized items included 8,720 Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilograms and valued at N308.7 million.
Officers also recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2 kilograms with an estimated value of N40.7 million, as well as 873 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies weighing 309.4 kilograms and valued at N24.3 million.
According to the Customs Service, the combined street value of all the seized cannabis-infused products stands at N373.8 million.
Adeniyi warned that the products were packaged to resemble ordinary snacks, with attractive flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie, making them particularly appealing to children, students and other unsuspecting consumers.
He cautioned that the deceptive packaging increases the risk of accidental consumption by members of the public who may not realise the products contain cannabis.
The Comptroller-General commended the Area Controller of the TinCan Island Port Command, Joseph Anani, and officers of the enforcement unit for their professionalism during the operation.
He also reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to protecting the country’s borders and ensuring that those involved in arms smuggling and drug trafficking are brought to justice.
Adeniyi further praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its collaboration and called on Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to support anti-smuggling operations.
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 threat to public safety.
He explained that the products, which were imported from the United States, were deliberately marketed as vegan snacks with attractive flavours to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
Adewunmi warned that the products were specifically designed to appeal to children, students and young people, increasing the risk of accidental drug consumption.
He confirmed that two suspects remain in custody while investigations continue.
The NDLEA also urged parents, schools and members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to relevant authorities.
