Odita Sunday 
Customs Intercepts ₦26.5bn Cannabis Hidden in Imported Vehicles at Apapa Port
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26.57 billion, concealed inside a container of imported used vehicles at the Apapa Port in Lagos, dealing another major blow to drug trafficking networks operating through the nation’s seaports.
The seizure was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement signed by Isah Sulaiman, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, for the Customs Area Controller.
The statement said the interception followed a joint operation between the Command and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), acting on credible intelligence.
According to the statement, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, directed that a 40-foot container with registration number FANU1933352 be subjected to a thorough examination by the Command’s Enforcement Unit alongside NDLEA operatives. The examination, conducted on Friday, July 10, 2026, uncovered the illicit consignment.
The container was found to contain three used vehicles a Red Nissan Micra (2015 model), Black Toyota Corolla S (2019 model), and Gray Toyota Corolla (2015 model). During the search, officers discovered 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, with each parcel weighing 500 grams.
Customs said four bags of the illicit substance were concealed inside the Red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were hidden beneath the container floor and in spaces between the three vehicles. No prohibited substances were found inside the Black Toyota Corolla S or the Gray Toyota Corolla.
Reacting to the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as a demonstration of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating the importation of prohibited goods and safeguarding public health, national security and the economy.
He said the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, against all forms of illicit trade through Nigeria’s ports.
Oshoba reaffirmed the Command’s determination to facilitate legitimate trade while strictly enforcing the law against prohibited and restricted imports. He also commended officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and diligence.
“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,” he said.
He further assured compliant importers and traders that they would continue to benefit from the trade facilitation measures introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
The Customs Area Controller has consequently ordered the seizure of the container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant laws, while investigations into the shipment continue.
About the Author
