Customs, NDLEA intercept N13bn cannabis, expired drugs
June 17, 2026 12:01 am
Caption: The seized containers. Photo credit: NCS, Apapa Area Command
By Anozie Egole
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has intercepted a 40-foot container conveying a large consignment of cannabis sativa and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined duty-paid value of N12.8bn.
The command, in a statement on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, described the development as another significant breakthrough in its sustained fight against transnational organised crime, illicit trade and threats to national security and public health.
Giving details of the interception, Sulaiman explained that, acting on credible and actionable intelligence and utilising advanced risk-assessment tools, officers of the command, in collaboration with the NDLEA, “on Monday, successfully intercepted a 40-ft container with number CAAU7569127 conveying 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, with each sachet weighing 500 grams. This brings the total weight to approximately 1,819 kilogrammes. Preliminary field tests conducted on the substance returned positive results for cannabis sativa. The seized items have a combined duty-paid value of N12.784bn.”
He added that the drugs were cleverly concealed inside a Toyota vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, along with several bags and drums loaded inside the container. Sulaiman maintained 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 noted that the examination was carried out in collaboration with key security and regulatory agencies. In a related development, the command also intercepted two 40-foot containers containing expired pharmaceutical products that were illegally imported into the country.
The command’s spokesman stated that a physical examination revealed that the pharmaceutical products had expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023 and were allegedly intended to be relabelled and reintroduced into the Nigerian market, posing serious health risks to consumers.
“The 40-ft container with number PCIU8771576 contained expired pharmaceuticals, including Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection and Becoline B-Complex Injection, while another 40-ft 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,” he said.
According to him, the substantial seizure highlights the scale of the attempted economic sabotage and underscores the commitment of the service to protecting national security, public health and the Nigerian economy through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
“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,” Sulaiman stated.
Speaking on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, warned that importers and their collaborators engaged in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals were undermining national development.
“We have the intelligence, the technology and the 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,” Oshoba stated.
Oshoba further reiterated that the command and all customs-controlled areas remain under constant surveillance. “The officers of the command remain resolute in protecting the Nigerian economy, safeguarding public health and preventing criminal exploitation of the nation’s borders,” he added.
The CAC reassured Nigerians of the command’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations to protect lives, secure legitimate trade and uphold national security.
Anozie is a Chief Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over 13 years of experience covering entertainment, maritime, and transport sectors. He specializes in producing insightful, engaging stories that provide clarity and depth across his beats. Anozie’s work reflects substantial newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate and compelling journalism.
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