Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, working in synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms aboard a foreign vessel at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
A statement issued by Isah Sulaiman,
Chief Superintendent of Customs/
Public Relations Officer,
Apapa Port Command explained that the seizure was made on Friday, January 2, 2026—the first working day of the new year—at the Greenview Terminal.
The illicit drugs were concealed on MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by smugglers seeking to exploit Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, lauded officers of both agencies for their vigilance, professionalism, and effective collaboration. He described the interception as a product of intelligence-driven operations and strong inter-agency cooperation.
“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement and the synergy among federal government agencies,” Comptroller Oshoba said. “While criminal networks continuously devise new tactics to outsmart law enforcement, our officers remain proactive and resolute. No smuggling attempt—whether through import, export, or transit cargo—will succeed under my watch.”
He noted that the seizure sends a strong signal at the start of 2026, reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance stance against illicit trade. In accordance with established procedures, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The latest interception represents the third major drug bust by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks. About two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel, following actionable intelligence.
Similarly, on December 11, 2025, operatives intercepted 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a premium strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.
Comptroller Oshoba reiterated that the Apapa Area Command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining a robust posture against threats to national security.
