The Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos, intercepts
25.5kg of Cocaine from Brazilian Ship, MV San Antonio in another remarkable anti-smuggling feat
By Innocent Chukwu
The Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba-led Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has, once again, triumphed in its pursuit of securing the nation with another seizure of hard drug that would have entered the country unnoticed. The Command said it intercepted a large quantity of cocaine weighing about 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship identified as MV San Anthonio.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025 by the Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Isah Suleiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, the illicit drug was packaged in 24 parcels/slabs, and was hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence-led checks that resulted in the detention of the ship.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has poured praises on his officers for the intelligence that led to the discovery of the illicit item.
Comptroller Oshoba described the seizure as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) .
Oshoba said customs intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship’s country of origin, the MV Antonio first called at the ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.
The CAC also reiterated the NCS resolve to ensure that only legitimate trade would thrive in the Apapa Area Command following a zero compromise directive issued by the Comptroller General of Customs(CGC ), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The Command has also handed the drug to the NDLEA. While handing over the drug to the NDLEA for further action, Oshoba hinted that the vessel that came into Nigeria with the cocaine has been detained by the NCS.
Oshoba: “What has happened today is the outcome of profiling and intelligence-led operations by the NCS and NDLEA. Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.
” This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system. Customs are strengthening our synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminals or group of lawless persons can beat us here.
” As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation. All consignment exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared”.
At a brief handover ceremony, in the port, the NDLEA was represented by CN Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, who formally took over the seizure from the Command.
