Again, Customs Intercepts Cocaine On A Vessel At Apapa Port

Barely two weeks after the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a vessel, the command has again recorded a major breakthrough with the seizure of another 30.1 kilograms of the illicit drug at the Apapa Port, Lagos.

The latest interception, announced on Friday, involved a Marshall Islands–flagged vessel and was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In a statement issued by the Command’s public relations officer, Isah Sulaiman, the cocaine was discovered carefully concealed onboard the ship, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated methods deployed by drug trafficking syndicates to exploit Nigeria’s seaports.

“In a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, officers of the NCS Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with NDLEA, have intercepted 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel.”

“The seizure occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026; the first working day of the new year at the Greenview Terminal within Apapa Port, Lagos. The illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, underscoring the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers attempting to exploit the nation’s busiest seaport.”

Sulaiman stated that the Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Emmanuel Oshoba, commended the officers from both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism.

“This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement,” he stated. “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,” Sulaiman Compt. Oshoba.

Sulaiman further stated that Compt. Oshoba described the interception as a bold statement for 2026, reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards illicit trade. In line with established protocols, the seized cocaine has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.

“This latest bust marks the third major drug interception by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks. Barely two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags aboard another vessel based on intelligence. On 11 December 2025; 1,187kg of “Canadian Loud”, a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container.”

“The Area Controller reiterates that the Apapa Port Command remains steadfast in its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding national security,” Sulaiman stated.