Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing war against transnational organized crime, illicit trade, and activities threatening national security and public health.
Acting on credible intelligence and leveraging advanced risk assessment tools, officers of the Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, June 15, 2026, intercepted a 40-foot container (No. CAAU7569127) laden with a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud.”
The operation led to the seizure of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grams, bringing the total weight to approximately 1,819 kilograms (1.81 tonnes). Preliminary tests confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa.
The narcotics were expertly concealed inside a Toyota vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus, and several bags and drums loaded within the container in an apparent attempt to evade detection. The successful interception underscores the Command’s growing capacity to identify and dismantle sophisticated smuggling syndicates operating through Nigeria’s seaports.
The examination and seizure were conducted in conjunction with relevant security and regulatory agencies.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, the Command intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into the country.
Physical examination revealed that the products had expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023, indicating plans by the importers to relabel and reintroduce them into the Nigerian market, thereby endangering public health.
One of the containers (No. PCIU8771576) was found to contain expired pharmaceutical products, including Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection, and Becoline B-Complex Injection.
The second container (No. MRKU4961275) contained various expired medical products, including Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets, and Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.
The seized narcotics and expired pharmaceuticals have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦12,784,479,341.72.
The seizure represents a significant blow to criminal networks seeking to profit from illicit drugs and counterfeit medical products while endangering the lives of Nigerians. It also highlights the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to safeguarding national security, public health, and the economy through intelligence-driven enforcement.
By preventing the expired medications from entering circulation, the Command has protected hospitals, pharmacies, and households from potentially harmful and ineffective drugs.
These achievements further demonstrate that the Apapa Area Command’s enforcement strategy is anchored on intelligence gathering, strategic profiling, data analytics, and robust inter-agency collaboration. The Command remains committed to deploying modern enforcement techniques to target high-risk consignments while facilitating legitimate trade in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
Speaking on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, warned importers involved in criminal activities to desist immediately.
“Unpatriotic importers and their collaborators who engage in smuggling, drug trafficking, and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals are enemies of Nigeria’s progress. We possess the intelligence, technology, and resolve to identify and apprehend them. Anyone contemplating such criminal acts should reconsider because the consequences will be swift, decisive, and uncompromising. Apapa Port will not be used as a gateway for economic sabotage or public health endangerment.”
Comptroller Oshoba further stressed that Apapa Port and all Customs-controlled areas remain under constant surveillance, assuring that officers and men of the Command remain steadfast in protecting the nation’s economy, public health, and borders from criminal exploitation.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting lives, securing legitimate trade, and strengthening national security.