The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa and expired pharmaceuticals.
Its image maker, Isah Sulaiman said the 40ft container was seized Monday, June 15, 2026 at 12pm through intelligence-led operations with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He added that the operation led to the recovery of 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, with each sachet weighing 500 grams. “This brings the total weight to approximately 1,819 kilograms (1.81 tonnes). Preliminary field tests conducted on the substance returned positive results for Cannabis Sativa. “
The drugs were hidden in a black Toyota Nissan vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, along with several bags and drums loaded inside the container..
He revealed that this intelligence-driven interception highlighted the Command’s enhanced capacity to detect and dismantle sophisticated smuggling networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s maritime entry points.
He further disclosed that the examination was carried out in collaboration with key security and regulatory agencies.
Besides, he said the Command intercepted 2 x 40ft containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into the country.
He explained that physical examination revealed that the pharmaceutical products have varied expiry date of 2021, 2022 and 2023 which the importers planned to relabel and reintroduce into the Nigerian market, posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
He added: “The 1 x 40ft with number PCIU8771576 contained expired pharmaceuticals including Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection and Becoline B-Complex Injection. While, 1 x 40ft container with number MRKU4961275 contained various expired medical products such as Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets, Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.”
He said the seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) N12,784,479,341.72.
He noted that this substantial seizure highlighted the scale of the attempted economic sabotage and underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to protecting national security, public health and the Nigerian economy through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
He averred that these interceptions prevented potentially harmful and ineffective medications from entering hospitals, pharmacies and homes across Nigeria.
“These successes demonstrate that the Apapa Area Command’s enforcement strategy is anchored on intelligence gathering, strategic profiling, data analysis and strong stakeholder collaboration. The Command continues to deploy modern techniques to target high-risk consignments while facilitating legitimate trade in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda” Sulaiman said..
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba warned that “unpatriotic importers and their collaborators who deliberately engage in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals are enemies of Nigeria’s progress.
He added: “We have the intelligence, the technology and the resolve to identify and apprehend them. Anyone still contemplating these criminal acts should immediately desist, because the consequences will be swift, decisive and uncompromising. Apapa Port will not be used as a conduit for economic sabotage and public health endangerment.”