NDLEA seizes 1.49 tons of Thai cannabis worth N4.4bn in Lagos ports
NDLEA intercepted 1,490.5kg of cannabis ('Loud') worth over N4.4 billion in two containers shipped from Thailand through Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos. At Apapa Port on Friday, operatives found 1,090.5kg hidden in dry fish and rice cartons; at Lekki Deep Sea Port on Wednesday, another 400kg was discovered concealed under A4 paper pallets. This marks the first time NDLEA has recorded illicit drugs shipped from Thailand via Nigeria's maritime corridor, differing from recent seizures mainly from Canada.
The seizures highlight traffickers exploring new international routes through Nigeria's busy seaports, following a July 20 interception of 2,388.5kg Canadian Loud worth N7.1 billion at Apapa. NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa commended the officers and urged sustained pressure on maritime drug networks.
With synthetic cannabis increasingly entering through Lagos ports, what precautions should importers and logistics companies take to avoid inadvertent involvement in drug trafficking schemes?