Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a swift and coordinated operation, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, working in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a high-grade variant of cannabis, concealed inside an imported Toyota Sienna.
The illicit substance, hidden in 13 bags, was discovered during a meticulous examination of a four-vehicle consignment. The breakdown of the recovered drugs includes ten bags weighing 25kg each, one bag at 29kg, and two additional bags weighing 34.5kg and 34kg respectively.
The interception came barely 24 hours after Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Port Command, was honored with a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit, further underscoring the command’s heightened operational alertness.
This latest bust marks the fourth major joint drug seizure by NCS and NDLEA at Apapa Port in less than two months, an achievement authorities credit to strengthened intelligence sharing and enhanced inter-agency synergy.
Comptroller Oshoba warned that criminal attempts to exploit the port for illicit trafficking will continue to fail.
“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security,” he stated.
The operation reflects the renewed commitment championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose leadership has emphasized cooperation and technology-driven security enhancements across all commands.
Oshoba also disclosed that the soon-to-be-deployed drive-through scanner, capable of screening 200 containers per hour, will significantly boost anti-smuggling efforts and tighten security around import and export activities.
In line with established protocols, the seized narcotics have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects.
Both Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander, Mohammed Tukur, were recently awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit in Abuja during Nigeria’s 2026 International Customs Day celebrations, an acknowledgment that further amplifies the success of this latest interception.
The operation aligns with the 2026 International Customs Day Theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”