The Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted nine containers of illicit drugs worth N53.39 billion at Apapa Port following joint intelligence operations.

The Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, said on Wednesday in Lagos that the seizures comprised cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, tramadol and expired pharmaceuticals concealed inside vehicles, spare parts, and household items.

He stated the operation followed painstaking intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and collaboration with NDLEA, reaffirming customs’ commitment to societal protection and border security.

Mr Adeniyi noted two containers held 3,639 parcels and 9,918 sachets of Canadian loud cannabis weighing 6.77 metric tonnes, concealed alongside imported vehicles and household goods.

Other seizures included 3,398 cartons, 339,800 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in casserole cartons, and 2,569 cartons of expired injections, capsules, eye drops and teething powder.

He explained that the narcotics would be handed to NDLEA for prosecution, while expired drugs go to the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) for safe disposal, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

The CGC said goods used to conceal illicit items remain in customs custody for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law.

He commended Apapa Area Command, Comptroller, Emmanuel Oshoba, and officers for vigilance, and thanked NDLEA and NAFDAC for partnerships that continue to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture against smugglers.

Mr Adeniyi warned traffickers that ports were no longer safe havens, adding that technology, intelligence and coordinated border management were closing gaps exploited by criminal syndicates.

He pledged continued interception, exposure and prosecution of offenders, stating that customs remains steadfast in protecting borders, facilitating legitimate trade and safeguarding public health nationwide.

Representing Mr Marwa, Assistant Commander General (ACG) Narcotics, Ibinabo Archie-Abia, described the seizure as a landmark achievement in the growing partnership between NDLEA and customs.

“Today marks a landmark moment in the history of synergy between NDLEA and Nigeria Customs Service at Apapa Customs Command in Lagos,” she said.

Ms Archie-Abia said NDLEA and customs removed 6,778.5 kg of Cannabis Indica, ‘Canadian Loud,’ from circulation through two major seizures recorded on June 15 and June 24.

She stated that the interceptions sent a clear message that agencies remain determined to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The ACG said both operations resulted from over four months of intelligence-led work by NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit, in collaboration with Canada’s RCMP.

She said investigators tracked the containers from Canada through multiple international ports before intercepting them at Apapa Port following painstaking surveillance and marine intelligence coordination.

According to her, the first container left Toronto on April 16, 2026, via Montreal, Morocco and Tin Can Island Port before arriving at Apapa for inspection.

The second container departed Montreal on May 1, followed a similar route and was intercepted at Apapa, yielding a combined seizure of over six tonnes.

Ms Archie-Abia stressed that NDLEA’s work does not end with seizures, as the agency will arrest suspects, prosecute offenders, and confiscate criminal assets linked to trafficking.

She commended NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies for their professionalism, noting that the operation proves intelligence sharing, international cooperation and inter-agency collaboration are effective against transnational organised crime.

The NAFDAC Director of Ports Inspection, Olakunle Olaniran, commended customs and sister agencies for preventing the public from exposure to dangerous and illicit pharmaceutical products.

Mr Olaniran, who represented NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the joint operation proved there is no room for smugglers at Nigerian seaports anymore.

He said the synergy demonstrated that sister agencies were now working on the same page to protect public health, secure borders and disrupt trafficking networks.

The director added that intercepting expired and narcotic drugs before they reach consumers saves lives and reinforces government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s health and security architecture. 

(NAN)