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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough against transnational drug trafficking with the seizure of 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The illicit drug, packaged in 30 slabs, was discovered onboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Greenview Terminal on Friday, January 2, 2026 – the first working day of the new year. The substance was carefully concealed within the ship, highlighting what authorities described as the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by international drug syndicates targeting Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, described the interception as a strong signal of the Command’s resolve in 2026. He commended officers of both the NCS and NDLEA for their vigilance, professionalism and effective intelligence-driven collaboration.
His words: “This seizure is a clear demonstration of the strong inter-agency synergy among federal government institutions and our collective commitment to intelligence-led enforcement.
“While criminal networks continue to devise new ways to outsmart law enforcement, our officers remain one step ahead. No smuggling attempt whether disguised as import, export or transit cargo will succeed under my watch.”
In line with established procedures, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and the prosecution of suspects connected to the consignment.
The latest interception represents the third major drug seizure recorded by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks. About two weeks earlier, both agencies seized 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags onboard another vessel, following actionable intelligence.
Similarly, on December 11, 2025, operatives intercepted a massive 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a high-value strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and hidden inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.
Reaffirming the Command’s mandate, Comptroller Oshoba stressed that the Apapa Port Command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining zero tolerance for illicit activities that threaten national security and public safety.
The seizure further reinforces the government’s ongoing efforts to secure Nigeria’s ports against criminal exploitation and disrupt international drug trafficking routes.
