Customs Intercepts ₦26.57bn Cannabis Shipment Hidden in Vehicles at Apapa Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 4.1 tonnes of Cannabis Indica with an estimated street value of ₦26.57 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos, dealing another major blow to drug trafficking through Nigeria's busiest seaport.

The illicit consignment was uncovered during a joint examination carried out by officers of the Apapa Area Command and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following credible intelligence.

Announcing the seizure, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the drugs were concealed inside a 40-foot container marked FANU1933352, which was flagged for intensive inspection based on intelligence available to the command.

According to Oshoba, the container had been declared as carrying three imported used vehicles comprising a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 grey Toyota Corolla.

However, a detailed physical examination revealed a sophisticated concealment method used to hide the illicit cargo.

Customs officers discovered 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, weighing a combined 4,143.5 kilograms, with each parcel weighing approximately 500 grams.

Oshoba explained that four of the bags were concealed inside the red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were hidden beneath the container floor and within concealed spaces between the three vehicles.

He added that no narcotic substance was found inside either the black Toyota Corolla S or the grey Toyota Corolla.

The Customs Area Controller described the interception as another demonstration of the command's determination to prevent prohibited items from entering the country through the nation's busiest port.

According to him, the operation reflects the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to protecting public health, safeguarding national security and ensuring that criminal networks do not exploit the country's maritime gateways.

"This seizure once again demonstrates our untiring commitment to ensuring that only lawful trade thrives in Apapa Port. As we intensify investigations into the matter, I want to reiterate that this command has made the port a no-go area for anything prohibited by our laws," Oshoba said.

He noted that the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, against the importation of prohibited goods and other forms of illicit trade through Nigeria's ports.

Oshoba also reassured legitimate importers and clearing agents that the command would continue to support compliant businesses through various trade facilitation initiatives introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service.

He urged stakeholders involved in lawful importation and international trade to continue complying with Customs regulations, assuring them that legitimate commerce remains a priority for the Service.

The Customs chief commended officers of the Apapa Area Command and NDLEA personnel for their professionalism, vigilance and effective collaboration, noting that intelligence sharing between security agencies remains critical to combating transnational organised crime.

He disclosed that the command had formally seized the 40-foot container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant laws.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals connected with the attempted smuggling operation, while authorities continue efforts to dismantle the criminal network behind the illicit shipment.