The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine concealed onboard a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel at Apapa Port, Lagos.
The seizure, which involved 30 slabs of cocaine, was carried out on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Greenview Terminal on the first working day of the new year. The illicit drugs were discovered onboard the MV Aruna, highlighting what authorities described as the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by international drug trafficking syndicates to exploit Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, commended officers of both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism, describing the interception as evidence of effective inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven enforcement.
He said the seizure sends a strong message at the start of 2026 that the command maintains a zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and illicit trade, adding that criminal elements would not be allowed to undermine national security under his watch.
In line with established procedures, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the shipment.
The latest interception is the third major drug seizure recorded by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks. About two weeks ago, the agencies intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags onboard another vessel following actionable intelligence.
Similarly, on December 11, 2025, officers uncovered 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.
Comptroller Oshoba reaffirmed that the Apapa Port Command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding national security.