The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of cannabis indica valued at approximately ₦26.5 billion, concealed inside a 40-foot container at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure, carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underscores the growing efforts by security agencies to curb the influx of illicit drugs into the country through seaports.

Announcing the development on Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, said the operation followed actionable intelligence that led to a meticulous examination of container number FANU1933352.

Speaking on the seizure, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, revealed that officers uncovered a staggering 4,143.5 kilograms of cannabis indica hidden within the container during a joint inspection conducted on July 10, 2026.

According to Oshoba, the container initially appeared to contain only three used vehicles—a red 2015 Nissan Micra, a black 2019 Toyota Corolla S, and a gray 2015 Toyota Corolla. However, a comprehensive search exposed a sophisticated concealment strategy designed to evade security checks.

Investigators discovered 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of cannabis indica, each weighing 500 grams. Four of the bags were hidden inside the red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were strategically stashed beneath the container floor and in concealed spaces between the vehicles.

“The drugs were carefully concealed within the container to evade detection by security agencies,” Oshoba stated.

He noted that no illicit substances were found inside the black Toyota Corolla S or the gray Toyota Corolla, adding that smugglers appeared to have deliberately used the vehicles as camouflage for the narcotics shipment.

“The drugs were strategically packed to maximise concealment while using the vehicles as cover,” he explained.

The Customs boss described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the command’s vigilance and unwavering commitment to combating the trafficking of prohibited substances that pose serious threats to public health, national security and social stability.

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He emphasized that the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, against smuggling and other forms of illicit trade across Nigeria’s ports and borders.

Oshoba reaffirmed that the Apapa Area Command remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while aggressively enforcing laws governing the importation of restricted and prohibited goods.

He commended officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication, while also highlighting the crucial role played by the NDLEA in ensuring the successful interception.

“This seizure demonstrates our commitment to ensuring only lawful trade thrives at Apapa Port. We have made this port a no-go area for anything forbidden by our laws,” he said.

The CAC disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the shipment, stressing that those responsible would be brought to justice.

He also encouraged compliant importers and traders to continue conducting legitimate business through the port, assuring them that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to providing trade facilitation measures introduced by the Comptroller-General to support lawful commerce.

In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant regulations, Oshoba confirmed that the container and all its contents had been formally seized.

He reiterated that the Service remains resolute in its mission to safeguard Nigerians from dangerous substances and protect the integrity of the nation’s ports from criminal syndicates and smuggling networks.