By Femi Anamelechi
As part of renewed efforts against illicit drugs importation and smuggling at the Nation’s premium Ports, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command in a collaborative operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have foiled an attempt to smuggle 30.1 kilograms of cocaine through the Apapa Port in Lagos.This was made known in a press release issued on Friday, 2 January 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, According to the Press statement, the illicit drugs which were packaged in 30 slabs, was intercepted on the first working day of the new year.
The drugs were concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Greenview Terminal. Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, commended the professionalism and vigilance of officers involved in the joint operation.“This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government agencies and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement. He said. “While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch.”Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba described the interception as a strong signal of the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on illicit trade in 2026, noting that the Apapa Command remains resolute in protecting national security while facilitating legitimate commerce.
The seized cocaine were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the shipment.The latest seizure represents the third major drug interception by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks. Recall that two weeks ago both agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel, following credible intelligence.The Joint Team had also on 11 December 2025, seized 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud”, a high-grade and expensive strain of cannabis, packed in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and hidden inside imported vehicles within a 40foot container.
