Lagos Customs Seizes N12.7 Billion Worth of Cannabis and Expired Drugs

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seized 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, commonly called Canadian Loud, together with expired pharmaceutical products worth N12.7 billion during a joint operation at Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure was announced in a statement released on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Apapa Command, Isah Sulaiman.

While showing the seized items to journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, explained that the operation was carried out in cooperation with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officers stationed at the port.

According to Oshoba, the success of the operation was enabled by reliable intelligence and the use of advanced risk‑assessment and profiling tools by Customs officers.

He said that Customs and NDLEA officers jointly intercepted a 40‑foot container marked CAAU7569127, which contained a large quantity of the illicit substance.

Oshoba described Canadian Loud as a highly potent strain of marijuana that was illegally imported into the country and is worth several billions of naira on the black market.

The comptroller also revealed that officers uncovered significant quantities of expired drugs that had been concealed in containers in an attempt to evade detection.

In a related operation, the command seized two additional 40‑foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products that had been imported unlawfully.

Physical examination showed that the drugs had expired between 2021 and 2023.

Oshoba alleged that the importers intended to repackage and relabel the expired products for circulation within the Nigerian market, warning that such products posed serious health dangers to consumers.

The Customs boss said that valuation officers estimated the combined duty‑paid value of the seized cannabis and expired drugs at N12.7 billion.

He warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command would continue to intensify efforts to block the importation of prohibited items through the port.

Oshoba also praised the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the service’s management for continuous training programmes that, he said, have improved operational efficiency among officers.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding national security, public health and the economy by preventing dangerous and illicit substances from entering the country.

The comptroller highlighted the collaboration between Customs and the NDLEA, noting that the partnership had significantly enhanced the interception of contraband items at Apapa Port.

He added that modern scanning technology and cargo‑profiling systems played a major role in identifying the suspicious containers for detailed inspection.

Investigations are ongoing to identify the importers, clearing agents and other individuals connected to the seized consignments for possible prosecution.

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its zero‑tolerance policy against smuggling and urged legitimate importers to comply fully with existing import regulations to avoid sanctions.