,,,,,”Clean cargo” contains 202 cans of cannabis, 5 suspects arrested
By Correspondent in Lagos
In a major crackdown on organised smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 16 containers of contraband worth over ₦10 billion and arrested five suspects at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the seizure, describing it as the result of weeks of intelligence gathering, coordinated inspections, and inter-agency collaboration.
The haul included Canadian cannabis indica, firearms, expired pharmaceuticals, counterfeit goods, frozen poultry, and prohibited used clothing.
Adeniyi revealed that three suspects had already been charged to court and remanded in Ikoyi Prison, while two others were released on administrative bail pending further investigation.
Our correspondent reports that one of the most alarming discoveries came from a 40-foot container (MRSU6407089) declared as “clean cargo”.
During a joint examination with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it was found to contain 202 cans of cannabis indica, two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, a Smith & Wesson pistol, 55 rounds of ammunition, and other accessories with the consignment traced to a Lagos-based importer.
Other intercepted containers are:
Seven containers of expired drugs and banned medicaments.
Three containers of expired food products, mainly margarine.
Three containers of prohibited used clothing.
Two containers, each loaded with 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry.
A container (ZZSU7277511) with 305 cartons of unregistered toothpaste concealed under beads and jalabiyas.
Expired chest and lung tablets without NAFDAC registration numbers.
Newly arrived containers of codeine syrup linked to the same smuggling syndicate.
Adeniyi stressed that while the duty-paid value was estimated at ₦10 billion, the street value in criminal hands would be significantly higher.
“This operation sends a clear message — Nigeria will not be turned into a dumping ground for harmful and dangerous goods,” he warned, adding that prosecutions were underway.
The Customs chief praised Apapa Area Controller Babatunde Olomu and the cooperation of sister agencies such as NAFDAC, NDLEA, and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
He disclosed that Nigeria had signed Memoranda of Understanding with 10 countries to combat the illicit importation of drugs and arms.
NAFDAC’s Director of Ports, Dr. Olakunle Olaniyan, confirmed that the seized pharmaceuticals were fake and dangerous, noting that NAFDAC maintains inspection offices in China and India to monitor shipments before arrival.
NDLEA Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa, said the imported cannabis indica posed far greater harm than the locally grown variety, while NCCSALW Zonal Coordinator, retired CP Mustapha Alamutu, and lauded the NCS for its consistent support in curbing arms trafficking.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
