Lagos — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a massive consignment of 2,388.5 kilogrammes of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The agency said the illicit drug, packaged in 4,777 sachets, has an estimated street value of over N7.1 billion.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the consignment was discovered during a joint examination of an incoming shipment on Monday.
“Three vehicles were cleverly used to conceal the 2,388.5kg of Canadian Loud cannabis,” Babafemi said.
The NDLEA did not disclose the country of origin of the shipment or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the seizure. Investigations are ongoing, as is standard in such cases.
The latest interception underscores the continued use of Nigeria’s busiest seaport as a major entry point for hard drugs by international trafficking syndicates. Apapa seaport has in recent years recorded several high-profile drug seizures, prompting enhanced collaboration between the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies.
Babafemi said the agency, in another operation, recovered a total of two million, two hundred and forty pills of 250 milligrammes Tapentadol worth over N2.2 billion from a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight on Friday.
“The exercise was based on an intelligence received and processed by NDLEA,” the statement reads.
“This came on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK.
“The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday 22nd July
“A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United kingdom.
“Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday 23rd July 2026 following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.
“In the course of investigation, three cargo agents: Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment were initially arrested leading to the arrest Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.
“Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.”
The NDLEA said Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, a 31-year-old entrepreneur involved in illicit drugs, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, on Tuesday following the seizure of 2.80 kilogrammes of loud, which arrived from the United States.
These seizures comes amid the agency’s intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria’s ports, airports, and land borders. In recent months, the NDLEA has recorded multiple multi-tonne seizures of cannabis and other substances across the country.
“Canadian Loud,” known for its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, has gained notoriety in Nigeria’s drug market for its potency and popularity among young users. The NDLEA has repeatedly warned of its dangerous health and social consequences, particularly among youths.
The agency urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support its anti-narcotics operations, emphasizing that the fight against drug trafficking remains a collective responsibility.
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