The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted expired pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦12.7 billion and approximately 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa in separate intelligence-driven operations at Lagos ports.
According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the seizures were made through coordinated efforts involving the NCS, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other regulatory agencies.
Customs said the operations were based on credible intelligence and enhanced risk assessment systems aimed at preventing illegal goods from entering the Nigerian market.
One of the major interceptions involved a 40-foot container identified as CAAU7569127, which concealed 3,639 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud.” Each sachet weighed 500 grams, bringing the total weight of the seized drugs to about 1,819 kilograms.
The illicit substance was reportedly hidden inside a vehicle, including a Toyota Sienna, as well as bags and drums packed within the container. Preliminary tests confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products allegedly intended for relabelling and resale in Nigeria. The agency estimated the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the drugs at ₦12.78 billion, describing the importation attempt as a major threat to public health and the economy.
Reacting to the seizures, Apapa Area Comptroller, Emmanuel Oshoba, warned smugglers and drug traffickers to abandon their illegal activities, stressing that Customs possesses the intelligence, technology, and capacity to track and apprehend offenders.
He emphasized that surveillance at Apapa Port and other Customs-controlled areas remains active, adding that enforcement operations will continue to target criminal activities while facilitating legitimate trade.
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