The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and a large consignment of cannabis-infused food products at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing, saying the seizures were made during recent enforcement operations by the TinCan Island Port Command.
According to Adeniyi, customs operatives intercepted a container containing concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles. He said officers had so far assembled 140 rifles from the recovered parts, while efforts were ongoing to assemble the remaining components.
He added that one principal suspect was arrested at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container. Financial and telecommunications records, he said, established the suspect’s connection to the shipment.
Adeniyi said two suspects were currently in custody and assisting with the investigation, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being tracked by security agencies.
The Customs chief also disclosed the interception of two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused 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 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, as well as 873 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes and valued at N24.3 million.
The combined street value of the seized cannabis-infused products was put at N373.8 million.
Adeniyi said the products were packaged to resemble ordinary snacks and came in flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie. He warned that the deceptive packaging could make the products appealing to children, students and other young people, potentially resulting in accidental consumption.
He commended Joseph Anani, Area Controller of the TinCan Island Port Command, and officers of the enforcement unit for their vigilance and professionalism.
Adeniyi reiterated the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring that individuals involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and dangerous drugs face prosecution.
He also praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its collaboration with the Customs Service and urged Nigerians to provide credible intelligence to support efforts to combat smuggling.
Receiving the seized items, 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.
Adewunmi said the products were imported from the United States and marketed as vegan snacks with flavours such as citrus, vanilla and peach in an attempt to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
He warned that the products appeared to have been deliberately designed to appeal to children, students and clubgoers, thereby increasing the risk of accidental drug consumption.
The NDLEA commander confirmed that two suspects were in custody as investigations continued. He urged parents, schools and members of the public to remain vigilant, warning that consuming the products could deliver concentrated cannabis directly into the body.
