By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦26.57 billion concealed inside a 40-foot container laden with imported used vehicles at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The seizure, made in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), followed credible intelligence that prompted a detailed examination of the container by officers of the Command’s Enforcement Unit.
Speaking on the seizure on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the container, marked FANU1933352, was subjected to intensive examination on July 10, 2026, leading to the discovery of 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, each weighing 500 grams.
According to him, the container also carried three used vehicles comprising a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 grey Toyota Corolla.
He explained that four bags of the illicit substance were concealed inside the Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were hidden on the floor of the container and in the spaces between the three vehicles. No narcotics were found inside the two Toyota Corolla vehicles.
Oshoba described the seizure as a reflection of the Command’s commitment to combating illicit trade and preventing prohibited items from entering the country through the nation’s premier seaport.
He said the interception aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, against smuggling and other forms of illegal trade.
“This seizure once again demonstrates our untiring 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 forbidden by our laws,” Oshoba said.
He also reassured compliant importers and exporters that the Command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring they continue to benefit from the trade facilitation initiatives introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service.
“I want to rebuild the confidence of our compliant traders and assure them once again that they will continue to enjoy the many trade facilitation incentives put in place by the Comptroller-General of Customs,” he added.
The Customs Area Controller commended officers of the Command and personnel of the NDLEA for their professionalism and vigilance, noting that the successful operation underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
He disclosed that the 40-foot container had been seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other extant laws, while investigations into the attempted importation of the prohibited substance are ongoing.
