The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted methamphetamine and a potent strain of cannabis called “Loud,” worth ₦3.3 billion, at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos.
The illegal drugs were hidden in automobile spare parts imported from Canada.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed in a statement on Sunday that the shipments were tracked across three continents over several months before the seizure. He explained that the drugs were intended for distribution during the Christmas and New Year festive season.
“This is the first time the agency has recovered two consignments of methamphetamine weighing 83.301 kilograms. The drugs were destined for warehouses in the Ladipo automobile parts market in Mushin, Lagos,” Babafemi stated.
Two businessmen, identified as Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, have been arrested in connection with the case. Babafemi provided details of the seized shipments, saying, “One container had 1,735 parcels of Loud packed in 44 jumbo bags, weighing a total of 867.5kg. Another container had six plastic coolers with 87 packs of methamphetamine, weighing 78.3kg.”
The combined weight of the meth shipments was 83.301kg, with a street value of ₦124,951,000. Meanwhile, the Loud had a street value of ₦2,168,750,000.
The NDLEA collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service and other port stakeholders to examine the containers. Babafemi detailed the meticulous tracking process that began in October 2024, with the first methamphetamine shipment being monitored from its origin in Toronto, Canada.
“The first container came under NDLEA’s radar on 4th October 2024 during its preparation in Toronto. It was tracked through its journey to Montreal, Canada, Antwerp in Belgium, and finally to Lagos, where it arrived on 1st December. It was moved to a bonded terminal two days later,” Babafemi explained.
The NDLEA says its operations at the port were led by Special Operations Units and the Tincan Port Strategic Command to ensure the successful interception.
