In a significant operation marking the start of the new year, a joint team from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a major drug bust at the nation's busiest seaport.
Major Cocaine Haul Intercepted at Greenview Terminal
Officers from the Apapa Area Command of the NCS, working closely with NDLEA operatives, successfully intercepted 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilogrammes. The illicit drugs were discovered concealed aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, MV Aruna.
According to a statement issued by the command's Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, the seizure took place on January 2, 2026, at the Greenview Terminal within the Apapa Port complex in Lagos. The discovery highlights the sophisticated methods smugglers are using to try and infiltrate the country's critical trade gateway.
A String of Successful Interceptions
The Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, hailed the seizure as a bold statement for 2026. He emphasized the command's unwavering zero-tolerance stance against illicit trade. Oshoba revealed that this latest operation is actually the third major drug interception by the NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks.
He provided details of the previous busts:
- Just two weeks prior, the agencies seized 25.5 kg of cocaine hidden in five bags on another vessel, based on actionable intelligence.
- Earlier, 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 cleverly concealed within imported vehicles inside a 40-foot container.
"While criminal elements seek to outsmart Customs," Oshoba stated, "our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds."
Synergy and Continued Vigilance
The Area Controller commended the vigilance and professionalism displayed by officers from both agencies. He confirmed that, following established protocols, the NDLEA has taken custody of the seized 30.1kg of cocaine for further investigation and to facilitate the 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 that drives the economy while steadfastly safeguarding national security from threats like drug trafficking. This latest interception serves as a clear warning that the nation's ports are under vigilant watch.
