The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of 1,819 kilograms of Cannabis sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud”, along with expired drugs valued at ₦12,784,479,341.72.
The Command, acting on credible, actionable intelligence and utilising advanced risk assessment tools in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), seized a 40-foot container (No. CAAU7569127) conveying the illicit substances at about 1200hrs on Monday.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the operation led to the recovery of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grams.
“This brings the total weight to approximately 1,819 kilograms (1.81 tonnes). Preliminary field tests conducted on the substance returned positive results for Cannabis Sativa. The drugs were cleverly concealed inside a black Toyota Nissan vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, along with several bags and drums loaded inside the container,” Sulaiman confirmed.
He noted that the intelligence-driven interception highlights the Command’s enhanced capacity to detect and dismantle sophisticated smuggling networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s maritime entry points.
Sulaiman stressed that the examination was carried out in collaboration with key security and regulatory agencies.
Similarly, the Command intercepted 2 x 40FT containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into the country.
The spokesperson stated that physical examination revealed that the pharmaceutical products had expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023, which the importers allegedly planned to relabel and reintroduce into the Nigerian market, thereby posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
The 1 x 40FT container with number PCIU8771576 contained expired pharmaceuticals, including Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection, and Becoline B-Complex Injection, while the 1 x 40FT container with number MRKU4961275 contained various expired medical products such as Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets, and Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.
“The seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Twelve Billion, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-One Naira, Seventy-Two Kobo (₦12,784,479,341.72k) only.
“This substantial seizure highlights the scale of the attempted economic sabotage and underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to protecting national security, public health and the Nigerian economy through intelligence-driven enforcement operations,” Sulaiman said.
He emphasised that the interceptions prevented potentially harmful and ineffective medications from entering hospitals, pharmacies, and homes across Nigeria.
Sulaiman added that these successes demonstrate that the Command’s enforcement strategy is anchored on intelligence gathering, strategic profiling, data analysis, and strong stakeholder collaboration.
He further stated that the Command would continue to deploy modern techniques to target high-risk consignments while facilitating legitimate trade in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.
Commenting on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, stated that unpatriotic importers and their collaborators who deliberately engage in smuggling, drug trafficking, and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals are enemies of Nigeria’s progress.
Comptroller Oshoba declared that the Command has the intelligence, technology, and resolve to identify and apprehend them.
“Anyone still contemplating these criminal acts should immediately desist, because the consequences will be swift, decisive, and uncompromising. Apapa Port will not be used as a conduit for economic sabotage and public health endangerment,” he warned.
The Comptroller also cautioned that Apapa Port and all Customs-controlled areas remain under constant surveillance, while reiterating the Command’s commitment to protecting the Nigerian economy, safeguarding public health, and preventing criminal exploitation of the nation’s borders.
He reassured Nigerians of the Command’s dedication to intensifying intelligence-driven operations to protect lives, secure legitimate trade, and uphold national security.
