In a significant operation marking the start of the new year, a joint task force comprising the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a major drug bust at the nation's premier seaport.
Interception at Greenview Terminal
The collaborative effort led to the interception of 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilogrammes. The illicit drugs were discovered concealed onboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, MV Aruna.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Customs Command, Isah Sulaiman, the seizure took place on January 2, 2026, at the Greenview Terminal within the Apapa Port complex in Lagos. The drugs were reportedly hidden with a level of sophistication intended to bypass security checks, highlighting the evolving tactics of smugglers targeting Nigeria's busiest port.
A Pattern of Success in Drug Interdiction
The Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, hailed the seizure as a bold statement for 2026, reinforcing the command's unwavering zero-tolerance stance against illicit trade. He revealed that this operation is part of a successful pattern, marking the third major drug interception by the NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks.
Oshoba provided details of the previous busts:
- Barely two weeks prior, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags on another vessel, based on actionable intelligence.
- On December 12, 2025, they uncovered 1,187kg of a premium cannabis strain known as "Canadian Loud". The substance was packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles inside a 40-foot container.
"While criminal elements seek to outsmart Customs, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds," Oshoba asserted.
Synergy and Continued Vigilance
The Area Controller commended the vigilance and professionalism of officers from both agencies. In line with established protocols, the NDLEA has taken custody of the seized 30.1kg of cocaine for further investigation and the potential prosecution of all individuals involved in the smuggling attempt.
"This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between Federal Government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement," Oshoba stated.
He reiterated the Apapa Port Command's dual mandate: to facilitate legitimate trade efficiently while acting as an unwavering gatekeeper to safeguard national security. The latest seizure underscores the critical role of such collaboration in protecting the country's borders from the scourge of illegal narcotics.
