Apapa Customs Foils ₦26.57bn Cannabis Smuggling Bid Hidden in Imported Vehicles
Apapa Customs Foils ₦26.57bn Cannabis Smuggling Bid Hidden in Imported Vehicles
By Silas Onuoha
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has once again demonstrated why it remains the nation’s frontline defender against illicit imports, dealing a crushing blow to drug trafficking syndicates with the interception of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26,569,847,771. The latest seizure reinforces the Command’s reputation for proactive enforcement, intelligence-driven operations, and unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerians from dangerous narcotics smuggled through the nation’s busiest seaport.
The remarkable seizure, made in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underscores the increasing sophistication of criminal networks and the determination of the Nigeria Customs Service to stay ahead through enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and meticulous cargo examination.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, disclosed that the seizure was made following credible intelligence, which prompted him to direct a comprehensive examination of one 40-foot container (No. FANU1933352) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit alongside NDLEA operatives.
The thorough examination, conducted on Friday, July 10, 2026, revealed three used vehicles comprising a 2015 Red Nissan Micra, a 2019 Black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 Gray Toyota Corolla. Hidden within and beneath the vehicles were 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 4,143.5 kilograms. Each parcel weighed approximately 500 grams.
Further inspection showed that four bags of the illicit substance had been carefully concealed inside the Red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were expertly hidden beneath the container floor and in the spaces between the three vehicles. No narcotics were discovered inside the Black Toyota Corolla S or the Gray Toyota Corolla.
Speaking on the interception, Comptroller Oshoba described the seizure as another clear demonstration of the Command’s unwavering vigilance and determination to prevent prohibited substances from finding their way into the country.
He noted that the successful operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, against the importation of illicit drugs and other prohibited items through Nigeria’s ports.
According to him, the Command remains resolute in balancing effective trade facilitation with strict enforcement of customs laws, ensuring that legitimate businesses continue to thrive while criminal elements are denied any opportunity to exploit the nation’s ports.
“This seizure once again demonstrates our untiring commitment in ensuring that only lawful trade thrives in Apapa Port. As we intensify investigation into the matter, I want to reiterate that this command has made the port a no-go area for anything forbidden by our laws.
“Let me use this opportunity to rebuild the confidence of our compliant traders and assure them once again that they will always enjoy the many trade facilitation incentives emplaced by the Comptroller-General of Customs.”
Comptroller Oshoba also commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication, stressing that their diligence continues to strengthen the Command’s enforcement capabilities.
He subsequently ordered the seizure of the container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant extant laws, while investigations continue to identify and prosecute all individuals connected with the smuggling attempt.
The latest interception is another significant milestone in the Apapa Area Command’s sustained campaign against transnational criminal networks seeking to use Nigeria’s seaports as channels for illicit drug trafficking. Beyond the enormous street value of the seizure, the operation undoubtedly prevented thousands of kilograms of dangerous narcotics from reaching communities, thereby safeguarding public health, enhancing national security, and protecting countless lives.
As Apapa Port continues to serve as the nation’s foremost maritime gateway, the Command’s consistent intelligence-led operations, strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies, and uncompromising enforcement posture send an unmistakable message to smugglers and criminal syndicates: Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for illegal trade. Under the leadership of Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba and the policy direction of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Apapa Area Command continues to set the benchmark for effective customs administration by facilitating legitimate commerce while relentlessly closing every avenue for economic sabotage and illicit trafficking.
