Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a massive consignment of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at over N10.4 billion at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The seized consignment, weighing 4,173.5 kilograms, was uncovered following what the agency described as months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and international collaboration involving multiple security agencies.
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the illicit shipment originated from Toronto, Canada on March 28 before being transported by rail to Montreal for loading onto a vessel. The container reportedly passed through Tanger Med Port in Morocco before arriving in Lagos aboard another vessel on May 9, 2026.
Babafemi disclosed that operatives of the agency’s Marine Intelligence Unit and Tincan Island Strategic Command closely monitored the shipment for over two months in collaboration with international partners, including the United Kingdom Home Office International Operations, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The operation culminated in the seizure of the drugs on Tuesday, May 12, during a joint examination involving NDLEA officers, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies.
The agency said the drugs were professionally concealed inside two vehicles — a used Ford bus and a Mercedes-Benz C300 car — hidden within the shipping container.
The latest seizure comes barely four days after NDLEA operatives raided a mansion in Lekki allegedly used as a stash house, where 2,326 kilograms of the same substance valued at over N5.8 billion were recovered.
Speaking during the handover of the seized exhibits on Wednesday, NDLEA Director of Seaports Operations, ACG Ibinabo ArchieAbia, described the operation as another testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and intelligence-led enforcement against transnational drug trafficking.
Reacting to the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operation for their vigilance and professionalism.
Marwa said the recent wave of Loud seizures points to a coordinated effort by international drug syndicates seeking to flood the Nigerian market with synthetic cannabis.
“This second massive seizure in less than a week is a clear message to international syndicates who think they can use our ports as entry points for their soul-destroying trade,” Marwa stated.
He added that the collaboration between NDLEA, Customs, and international partners was producing significant results, stressing that the agency would continue to target every link in the illicit drug supply chain until those responsible are brought to justice.
