The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products worth N373.8 million at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday while highlighting major enforcement operations carried out by the TinCan Island Port Command.
Adeniyi said customs operatives intercepted a container on July 8 carrying concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles.
He said 140 rifles had so far been assembled from the recovered parts, while the assembly of the remaining components was still ongoing.
According to him, one principal suspect was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the container’s release.
He said financial and telecommunications evidence linked the suspect to the shipment.
The CGC said two suspects were in custody assisting investigations, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being tracked by security operatives.
Adeniyi also said customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported goods, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
He explained that the seized drugs comprised 8,720 pieces of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes and valued at N308.7 million.
He added that officers recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2kg and valued at N40.7 million, as well as 873 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies in 442 packs weighing 309.4kg and valued at N24.3 million.
According to him, the total street value of the seized drugs is N373.8 million.
Adeniyi warned that the products were attractively packaged with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie to resemble ordinary snacks and appeal to children, students and other young people.
He said unsuspecting consumers could ingest the products due to their deceptive packaging.
