The Apapa Area 1 Customs Command, Lagos, leads intelligence–based operation at the Apapa Premier Port which results in the interception of 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, N12.8b worth of expired pharmaceuticals products
By Innocent Chukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS’s) Area Command in charge of the Apapa Premier Port, Lagos, said it led an intelligence-backed operation that resulted in the interception of cannabis sativa and other illicit pharmaceutical products, an interception that has since jolted the camp of die-hard smugglers operating in the port.
The Command said the operation was carried out in conjunction with officers of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, June 15, 2026, during which the joint team intercepted a 40FT container with number CAAU7569127 conveying large consignment of cannabis sativa specie commonly referred to as “Canadian Loud “.
According to the Apapa Area 1 Customs command, the operation led to the interception of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, with each sachet weighing 500 grams, 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 Command further revealed that the drugs were cleverly concealed inside a black Toyota Nissan vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, along with several bags and drums loaded inside the container.
The interception highlights the Command’s enhanced capacity to detect and dismantle sophisticated smuggling networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s maritime entry points.
The examination was carried out in collaboration with key security and regulatory agencies.
In a related development, the Command intercepted 2 x 40FT containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into the country.
Physical examination revealed that the pharmaceutical products have varied expiry date of 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively, which the importers planned to relabel and reintroduce into the Nigerian market, posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
The 1 x 40FT with number PCIU8771576 contained expired pharmaceuticals including Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection and Becoline B-Complex Injection.
While, 1 x 40FT container with number MRKU4961275 contained various expired medical products such as Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets, Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.
The seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.8 billion .
The substantial seizure highlights the scale of the attempted economic sabotage and underscores the unwavering commitment of the NCS to protect national security, public health and the Nigerian economy through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
Commenting on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the Apapa Area 1 Command, Comptroller Emmanuel 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.
“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.”
Comptroller Oshoba further warned that the Apapa Premier Port and all Customs-controlled areas remain under constant surveillance.
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.
