Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port in Lagos, foiling an attempted smuggling operation at the start of the new year.
The seizure was confirmed in a press release issued on Friday, 2 January 2026, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman. He disclosed that the illicit drug, packaged in 30 slabs, was discovered onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Greenview Terminal on the first working day of 2026.
Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, praised the officers involved for their professionalism and vigilance, attributing the success to effective intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency cooperation.
“This achievement underscores the strong synergy between government agencies and our resolve to stay ahead of criminal networks engaged in illicit trade,” Oshoba said.
He added that the interception sends a clear message of zero tolerance for drug trafficking and other forms of smuggling, stressing that the Command remains committed to protecting national security while ensuring the smooth facilitation of legitimate trade.
In accordance with standard procedures, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and the prosecution of suspects connected to the shipment.
The latest operation represented the third major drug seizure by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks. About two weeks earlier, the agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel following credible intelligence.
Similarly, on 11 December 2025, the joint team seized 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a high-grade strain of cannabis, concealed in imported vehicles inside a 40-foot container at the port.
