NCS Apapa Seizes Cannabis, Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth N12.8bn In Major Port Operation

NCS Apapa Seizes Cannabis, Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth N12.8bn in Major Port Operation The Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Apapa Area Command, has intercepted three 40-foot containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa and expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported through the Apapa Port complex, in a seizure valued at about N12.8 billion. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA as part of intensified efforts to curb smuggling, drug trafficking, and the importation of unsafe medical products into Nigeria. According to Customs, one of the intercepted containers numbered CAAU7569127—contained a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa, also known as “Canadian Loud. Officials said the shipment contained 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grams, bringing the total quantity to about 1,819 kilograms 1.81 tonnes after preliminary testing confirmed the substance. The drugs were reportedly concealed inside vehicles and other packaged items within the container in an attempt to evade detection. In a separate operation, Customs officers also uncovered two additional 40-foot containers filled with expired pharmaceutical products. The agency said the medicines had expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023, and were allegedly intended to be relabelled and reintroduced into the Nigerian market, posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers. The intercepted drugs included a range of antibiotics, injections, tablets, and other medical products commonly used in treatment facilities and pharmacies. Customs authorities estimated the combined Duty Paid Value DPV of the seized cannabis and pharmaceuticals at approximately N12.8 billion, describing the operation as a major blow to smuggling networks operating through the nation’s seaports. The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, warned that the service would continue to intensify intelligence-driven surveillance across all port entry points. He stressed that smugglers and traffickers attempting to exploit Nigeria’s maritime borders would face strict enforcement measures, noting that inter-agency cooperation remains key to ongoing successes. Officials said the seizure reflects improved intelligence gathering, advanced risk profiling, and stronger collaboration between Customs and NDLEA operatives. They added that the interception helped prevent harmful drugs and expired pharmaceuticals from entering Nigerian communities, where they could have posed serious public health risks. The Nigeria Customs Service said investigations are ongoing to track the importers, clearing agents, and other individuals connected to the shipments. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, safeguarding public health, and ensuring that legitimate trade continues without disruption.