The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted three 40-foot containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.8 billion at the Lagos Port Complex.
According to the Command, officers working in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized a container conveying a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud,” during an intelligence-led operation on June 15, 2026.
The seizure yielded 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grammes, bringing the total weight to approximately 1.81 tonnes. Preliminary field tests confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa.
Customs authorities disclosed that the drugs were carefully concealed inside a vehicle and hidden among bags and drums within the container in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
In a separate operation, the Command also intercepted two additional 40-foot containers carrying expired pharmaceutical products, including capsules, injections, tablets, and eye drops with expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said investigations revealed that the products were allegedly intended for relabelling and reintroduction into the Nigerian market, posing significant health risks to consumers.
He described the seizures as a major blow to criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking and the importation of expired medical products, stressing that the operation underscores the Service’s commitment to protecting public health, national security, and the economy.
Oshoba noted that the successful interceptions were made possible through intelligence gathering, strategic profiling, data analysis, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He warned importers and their collaborators involved in smuggling and other illicit activities to desist immediately, emphasizing that the Nigeria Customs Service remains vigilant and determined to prevent the nation’s ports from being used as channels for economic sabotage and public health threats.
The Comptroller reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations to secure legitimate trade, protect lives, and safeguard Nigeria’s borders against criminal exploitation.
