NDLEA Seizes ₦4.4 Billion Thai ‘Loud’ Consignment At Lagos Port
By Sherif Salau
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1,490.5 kilograms of illicit cannabis, commonly referred to as Loud, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦4.4 billion at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.
The consignments, shipped from Thailand, mark the agency’s first recorded seizure of such substances arriving through Nigeria’s maritime corridor from that country. Both containers originated from the Port of Laem Chabang.
At Apapa Port, a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders on 21 August uncovered 1,090.5 kilograms concealed in a container declared to hold legitimate goods including dry fish, rice and vehicle spare parts. At Lekki Deep Sea Port, a second container under surveillance yielded a further 400 kilograms.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the interceptions reveal a new route being used by international networks to channel synthetic cannabis into the country. The agency emphasised that sustained intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation remain essential to disrupting these attempts.
Beyond the immediate enforcement success, the seizure underscores the persistent threat posed by the availability of potent cannabis variants. Health authorities and anti-drug agencies have repeatedly warned that regular use among young people carries significant risks. These include elevated chances of developing dependence, impaired cognitive function affecting education and future employment prospects, increased vulnerability to anxiety and other mental health challenges, and broader social consequences such as strained family relationships and reduced productivity.
The influx of high-value illicit consignments into major commercial hubs heightens the potential for wider distribution, placing additional pressure on communities already grappling with youth substance-related challenges. Officials continue to stress prevention, public education and treatment access as complementary pillars alongside interdiction efforts.
