By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted a 40-foot container laden with Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26,569,847,771, concealed among imported used vehicles at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The seizure, carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), involved 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica discovered during a routine examination at the Command’s Enforcement Unit.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the operation followed credible intelligence received by the Command.
The statement said the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, directed that the 40-foot container with number FANU1933352 be subjected to a comprehensive examination, leading to the discovery on July 10, 2026.
The container was found to contain three used vehicles—a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 gray Toyota Corolla. A detailed search revealed 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, with each parcel weighing 500 grams.
A breakdown of the seizure showed that 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 the spaces between the three vehicles. No illicit drugs were found inside the two Toyota Corolla vehicles.
Reacting to the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as a testament to the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating the importation of prohibited substances through the nation’s seaports.
He said the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, against smuggling and other forms of illicit trade.
“The seizure once again demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that only lawful trade thrives at Apapa Port. As we intensify investigations into the matter, I want to reiterate that this Command has made the port a no-go area for anything prohibited by our laws,” Oshoba said.
He also reassured compliant importers and traders of the Command’s continued support through trade facilitation measures introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Customs Area Controller commended officers of the Command for their diligence and professionalism during the operation, reaffirming the Command’s determination to facilitate legitimate trade while enforcing laws against the importation of prohibited and restricted goods.
He subsequently ordered the seizure of the 40-foot container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other applicable laws, while investigations into the shipment continue.
