Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle at Apapa Port.
The illicit consignment was discovered hidden in 13 bags inside one of four vehicles shipped in a single import consignment, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman.
The statement said the seized drugs weighed a total of 347.5kg, comprising 10 bags weighing 25kg each, one bag weighing 29kg, and two others weighing 34.5kg and 34kg, respectively.
The Command described the seizure as the fourth major joint anti-drug operation carried out by the NCS and NDLEA at Apapa Port in less than two months, highlighting the growing collaboration between both agencies in combating drug trafficking through Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
Reacting to the interception, the Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba, warned smugglers that the Command would sustain its intelligence-driven operations to prevent prohibited items from passing through the port.
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“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect society and national security,” he said.
Oshoba attributed the successful operation to improved intelligence sharing and operational synergy between the NCS and the NDLEA, in line with the collaborative approach championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He added that the planned deployment of a 200-container-per-hour drive-through scanner at the port would further strengthen cargo inspection and technology-driven anti-smuggling operations.
In line with established procedures, the seized cannabis has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of those connected with the shipment.
The latest seizure comes barely 24 hours after Oshoba received the World Customs Organization (WCO) Certificate of Merit, alongside the NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander, Mohammed Tukur, in recognition of their contributions to customs enforcement during activities marking the 2026 International Customs Day.
The Command reiterated its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to combat smuggling, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime through Nigeria’s ports.
