In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle.
The seizure, which took place barely 24 hours after Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, received a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit, underscores the command’s intensified vigilance. The illicit substance was hidden in thirteen bags within one of four vehicles in a single import consignment.
A detailed breakdown revealed ten bags weighing 25kg each, one bag at 29kg, and two bags weighing 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, bringing the total to 347.5kg.
This interception marks the fourth major joint operation by Customs and NDLEA at Apapa Port in less than two months. Comptroller Oshoba reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that no cargo, whether import or export, passes through the port without thorough examination.
“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,” Oshoba declared.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, praised the operation as a demonstration of effective inter-agency collaboration. Intelligence sharing and joint efforts between NCS and NDLEA have consistently disrupted smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Oshoba further noted that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity drive-through scanner, capable of screening 200 containers per hour, will significantly enhance technology-driven anti-smuggling operations.
In line with established protocols, the seized cannabis has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects.
The success comes on the heels of international recognition, as Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on January 26, 2026, during International Customs Day celebrations in Abuja.
This latest interception aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.” The Apapa Command reiterated its dedication to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society.
