Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30.1 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, MV Aruna, at Apapa Port, Lagos.
The seizure, involving 30 slabs of cocaine, was made on January 2, 2026, at the Greenview Terminal, according to a statement issued by the Apapa Customs Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman. The drugs were carefully hidden on the vessel, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated methods used by smugglers targeting Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba, described the interception as a strong opening statement for 2026 and a reaffirmation of the command’s zero-tolerance stance on illicit trade. He noted that the bust is the third major drug seizure recorded by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks.
Oshoba recalled that about two weeks earlier, operatives seized 25.5kg of cocaine concealed in five bags on another vessel following credible intelligence. He also referenced a December 12, 2025 operation in which 1,187kg of “Canadian Loud,” a high-grade strain of cannabis, was discovered in 2,374 parcels hidden inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.
He stressed that while criminal networks continue to devise new ways to evade detection, Customs officers remain ahead, ensuring that no smuggling attempt—whether through imports, exports or transit cargo—succeeds.
The Area Controller commended officers of both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism, confirming that the NDLEA has taken custody of the seized cocaine for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“This success underscores the strong inter-agency collaboration among federal institutions and our commitment to intelligence-driven enforcement,” Oshoba said, adding that the Apapa Command remains focused on facilitating legitimate trade while protecting national security.
