Again, Apapa Customs, NDLEA Intercept 347.5kg of Canadian Loud Hidden in Imported Vehicle

BY FUNMI ALUKO

In a dramatic show of vigilance and inter-agency collaboration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, working hand-in-hand with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted a staggering 347.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, ingeniously concealed inside an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle.

The bust, which occurred barely 24 hours after Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa Port Command, received a prestigious World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit, underscores the command’s uncompromising stance against illicit trafficking.

According to a release by the Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Sulaiman Isah, the contraband was hidden in 13 bags within one of four vehicles contained in a single consignment. A meticulous weighing exercise revealed the breakdown: ten bags at 25kg each, one at 29kg, and two at 34.5kg and 34kg respectively, totaling 347.5kg.

This interception marks the fourth major joint drug bust in less than two months at Apapa Port, a record that highlights the command’s intensified scrutiny of cargo.

Reacting to the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba issued a stern warning to criminal networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s maritime gateways:

“Any attempt by criminal elements to traffic prohibited items through Apapa Port will be detected and thwarted. We remain vigilant and resolute in the discharge of our duty to protect our society and national security.”

He emphasized that under his watch, no cargo, whether import or export will pass through Apapa Port without thorough examination.

The operation also reflects the exemplary cooperation between Customs and NDLEA, championed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD. Intelligence sharing and joint tactical efforts have consistently outmaneuvered smuggling networks in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Oshoba credited this strengthened partnership for the success, noting that the upcoming deployment of a high-capacity drive-through scanner capable of processing 200 containers per hour will further revolutionize anti-smuggling operations.

Both agencies continue to operate under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that foster zero tolerance, professionalism, and seamless cooperation. In line with established protocols, the seized cannabis has been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the consignment.

This latest success builds on the recognition accorded to Comptroller Oshoba and NDLEA Apapa Special Area Commander Mohammed Tukur, who were both awarded the WCO Certificate of Merit on January 26, 2026, in Abuja during the International Customs Day celebrations.

Oshoba further explained that the interception aligns with the 2026 ICD theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”

Reaffirming the command’s dual mission, Oshoba declared that while Customs remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, it will intensify efforts to disrupt illicit activities and safeguard society.