The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects following the interception of pump-action rifles concealed inside a consignment at the TinCan Island Port in Lagos.
Adeniyi disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing on recent enforcement activities carried out by the TinCan Island Port Command.
He also revealed that cannabis-infused food products had been seized after being smuggled into the country through the port, warning that such items pose serious risks to public health and national security.
According to the Customs boss, operatives intercepted a container on July 8 containing concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles.
He revealed that 140 rifles had already been assembled from the recovered parts, while work was still ongoing to assemble the remaining components.
Adeniyi said one of the principal suspects was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while allegedly attempting to facilitate the clearance of the container.
He added that financial and telecommunications records obtained during the investigation linked the suspect to the shipment.
The Comptroller-General disclosed that two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while another key suspect remains at large and is being tracked by security agencies.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported items, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
Adeniyi said the seized items included 8,720 Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes with an estimated value of N308.7 million.
He further disclosed that officers recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2 kilogrammes and valued at N40.7 million, as well as 873 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies packaged in 442 packs, weighing 309.4 kilogrammes with an estimated value of N24.3 million.
According to him, the total street value of the confiscated cannabis-infused products stands at N373.8 million.
Adeniyi explained that the products were packaged to resemble ordinary snacks and came in flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie, making them particularly attractive to children, students and other young people.
He warned that unsuspecting consumers could unknowingly ingest the products because of their deceptive packaging.
The Customs chief commended the Area Controller of the TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, along with officers of the enforcement unit, for their vigilance and professionalism during the operations.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders and ensuring that those involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and dangerous drugs are brought to justice.
Adeniyi also praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for its continued collaboration and appealed to Nigerians to provide credible intelligence to support ongoing anti-smuggling efforts.
Receiving the seized exhibits, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command, Augustine Adewunmi, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and smoothies as an emerging threat to public safety.
Adewunmi said the products, imported from the United States, were deliberately marketed as vegan snacks in flavours including citrus, vanilla and peach to mislead unsuspecting consumers.
He warned that the products were designed to appeal to children, students and nightclub users, thereby increasing the risk of accidental cannabis consumption.
The NDLEA commander confirmed that two suspects are in custody while investigations continue, urging parents, schools and members of the public to remain vigilant, as consuming the products delivers highly concentrated cannabis directly into the body.
