Apapa Customs Seizes ₦12.7 billion Worth of Cannabis and Expired Drugs

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service seized 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Canadian Loud, together with expired drugs valued at ₦12.7 billion.

The major seizure took place at Apapa Port in Lagos on Monday, according to a statement released by the command’s spokesman, Isah Sulaiman, on Tuesday, 16 June 2026.

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller (CAC) for Apapa Command, confirmed the interception and explained how the operation was carried out through strong inter‑agency collaboration and intelligence sharing.

Oshoba said the successful operation was conducted in close cooperation with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stationed at the port.

He credited the breakthrough to credible action on actionable intelligence and the strategic deployment of advanced risk‑assessment tools by Customs officers at the command.

The CAC noted that officers of the command, working jointly with NDLEA, intercepted one 40‑ft container numbered CAAU7569127 that was carrying a large consignment of the illicit Cannabis Sativa.

Oshoba described the substance, popularly known as Canadian Loud, as a highly potent strain of marijuana illegally imported into Nigeria and valued at several billion on street markets.

He added that, alongside the cannabis, officers discovered large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products concealed in containers to evade detection by authorities.

In a related development, the command intercepted two 40‑ft containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into Nigeria. Physical examination revealed that the drugs had expired in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Oshoba said importers had planned to relabel the expired pharmaceuticals and reintroduce them into the Nigerian market, a scheme that posed serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers nationwide if the dangerous products circulated.

He combined the duty‑paid value of both the intercepted Canadian Loud and the expired drugs, which Customs valuation officers estimated at ₦12.7 billion.

Oshoba warned importers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command remains vigilant and will continue to frustrate attempts to smuggle contraband through the port.

He praised the support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management for engaging officers in a continuous training programme, which he said has been yielding positive results in their operations.

Oshoba reiterated the command’s commitment to national security, public health, and economic protection by preventing harmful substances from entering Nigerian markets and communities.

The comptroller highlighted the synergy between Customs and NDLEA, noting that joint operations have significantly improved detection rates of prohibited items at Apapa Port.

According to him, advanced scanning technology and profiling systems play a critical role in flagging the suspicious container for physical examination by enforcement teams.

He said investigations are currently ongoing to identify the importers, clearing agents, and other accomplices linked to the seized container for prosecution under existing laws.

The NCS reaffirmed its zero‑tolerance stance on smuggling, urging legitimate traders to comply with import regulations to avoid severe sanctions.

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