30.1kg Cocaine Seized as Customs, NDLEA Foil Drug Trafficking Attempt at Apapa Port

By Correspondent in Lagos.

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine concealed aboard a foreign vessel at the Apapa Port, Lagos, in a major crime bust at Nigeria’s busiest seaport.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, confirmed this a statement issued through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman.

According to Oshoba, the interception took place on Friday,the first working day of the new year,at the Greenview Terminal, Apapa, following credible intelligence.

He said the illicit drugs were discovered aboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, noting that the concealment underscored the increasingly sophisticated tactics adopted by international drug trafficking syndicates seeking to exploit Nigerian ports.

The Comptroller commended officers of the NCS and NDLEA for their vigilance, professionalism, and effective inter-agency collaboration, describing the operation as a clear outcome of intelligence-driven enforcement.

“This seizure reflects our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led operations and strong synergy among Federal Government agencies,” Oshoba said.

“As criminal networks continue to evolve new tactics to evade law enforcement, our officers remain proactive and resolute. No smuggling attempt—whether through import, export, or transit cargo—will succeed under my watch,” he added.

He noted that the interception sends a strong signal at the start of 2026, reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking and other forms of illicit trade.

In line with established procedures, Oshoba disclosed that the seized cocaine had been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of those behind the crime.

The Comptroller revealed that the latest seizure marked the third major drug bust recorded by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks.

“About two weeks ago, the agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel, based on actionable intelligence,” he recalled.

He further recalled that on Dec. 11, operatives also seized 1,187 kilograms of ‘Canadian Loud’, a premium strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and hidden inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.

Oshoba reaffirmed the Apapa Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining a firm posture against criminal activities that pose threats to national security.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.