The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted three 40-foot containers containing Cannabis Sativa and expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported through the Lagos port complex, with a combined value of N12.8 billion.
Interception of Cannabis Sativa
In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Isah Sulaiman, officers of the NCS command in collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) successfully intercepted a 40-foot container with number CAAU7569127 on June 15, 2026, at about 1200 hours. The container carried a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as “Canadian Loud.”
The operation led to the recovery of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grammes, bringing 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.
Seizure of Expired Pharmaceuticals
In a related development, the Command also intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products. Upon physical examination, it was discovered that the pharmaceutical products had varied expiry dates of 2021, 2022, and 2023. The importers planned to relabel and reintroduce them into the Nigerian market, posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, provided details about the seizures. He stated that a 40-foot container with number PCIU8771576 contained expired Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection, and Becoline B-Complex Injection. The second 40-foot container with number MRKU4961275 contained expired Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets, and Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.
Oshoba said the seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.8 billion. He noted that 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.
Intelligence-Driven Operations
Oshoba emphasized 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. He added that these interceptions prevented potentially harmful and ineffective medications from entering hospitals, pharmacies, and homes across Nigeria.
“These successes demonstrate that the Apapa Area Command’s enforcement strategy is anchored on intelligence gathering, strategic profiling, data analysis, and strong stakeholder collaboration. The Command continues 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,” he stated.
Oshoba warned 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. He revealed that the command has the intelligence technology and the resolve to identify and apprehend them. He warned that anyone still contemplating these criminal acts should immediately desist, as the consequences will be swift, decisive, and uncompromising.
According to him, Apapa Port will not be used as a conduit for economic sabotage and public health endangerment. Oshoba further warned that Apapa Port and all Customs-controlled areas remain under constant surveillance, noting that the entire officers of the Command remain resolute in protecting the Nigerian economy, safeguarding public health, and preventing criminal exploitation of the nation’s borders.
The CAC reassured all Nigerians of the Command’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations to protect lives, secure legitimate trade, and uphold national security.
