The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products worth N373.8 million at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing, saying the seizures followed recent enforcement operations by the TinCan Island Port Command.
According to Adeniyi, customs officers discovered concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles in a container intercepted on July 8.
He said officers had so far assembled 140 rifles from the recovered components, while work was ongoing to assemble the remaining parts.
The customs boss said a principal suspect was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
He added that financial and telecommunications records had linked the suspect to the shipment.
“Two suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being tracked by security agencies,” Adeniyi said.
Beyond the arms seizure, the customs service also intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products concealed among imported items, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The seized items included 8,720 pieces of 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 valued at N40.7 million.
Another 873 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies, weighing 309.4 kilogrammes, were also seized. The items were valued at N24.3 million.
Adeniyi put the combined street value of the cannabis-infused products at N373.8 million.
He expressed concern over the packaging of the products, noting that they were made to resemble ordinary snacks and came in flavours including citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie.
According to him, the presentation could make the products particularly attractive to children, students and other young people, exposing unsuspecting consumers to the risk of unknowingly ingesting cannabis.
Receiving the seized products on behalf of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Augustine Adewunmi, commander of narcotics at the agency’s TinCan Strategic Command, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and smoothies as an emerging public safety threat.
Adewunmi said the products were imported from the United States and marketed as vegan snacks, with flavours such as citrus, vanilla and peach.
He warned that their appearance and marketing could deceive consumers, particularly children, students and clubgoers.
The NDLEA commander said two suspects were in custody while investigations into the shipment continued.
He urged parents, schools and members of the public to remain vigilant, warning that consumption of the products could deliver concentrated cannabis directly into the body.
Adeniyi commended Joseph Anani, area controller of the TinCan Island Port Command, and officers of the enforcement unit for their vigilance and professionalism.
He also praised the NDLEA for its collaboration with the NCS and urged Nigerians to provide credible intelligence to assist agencies in tackling smuggling.
The customs chief reaffirmed the service’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and ensuring that individuals involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and dangerous drugs are brought to justice.
