By: Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
In a major joint operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle.
The seizure came barely 24 hours after Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, received a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit. The illicit substance was concealed in thirteen bags within one of four vehicles in a single import consignment.
A detailed weighing revealed ten bags at 25kg each, one bag at 29kg, and two bags at 34.5kg and 34kg, totaling 347.5kg.
This marks the fourth significant joint drug interception by NCS and NDLEA at Apapa Port in under two months, highlighting Comptroller Oshoba’s firm commitment that no cargo, whether import or export, will pass through the port without thorough examination.Reacting to the bust, Comptroller Oshoba warned:
“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted.
We remain vigilant and resolute in our duty to protect society and national security.”
The operation also underscores the exemplary inter-agency collaboration championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD. Through intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts, NCS and NDLEA officers have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Comptroller Oshoba noted that the seizure reflects this strengthened partnership and emphasized that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity 200-container-per-hour drive-through scanner will further enhance technology-driven anti-smuggling operations.
Both agencies continue to uphold zero tolerance, professionalism, and seamless cooperation. In line with established protocols, the seized 347.5kg of Canadian Loud has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects.
The latest success builds on the recognition awarded to Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who received the WCO Certificate of Merit on Monday, 26 January 2026, in Abuja, during the International Customs Day celebrations in Nigeria.
The interception aligns with the 2026 International Customs Day theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
The CAC reaffirmed the command’s dedication to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society.
