The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has smashed an international drug trafficking ring specialising in the importation of cocaine and other prohibited items into the country.
The joint operation, carried out in Lagos on Friday, led to the interception of 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed onboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at the Apapa Port.
The seizure occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026 — the first working day of the New Year — at the Greenview Terminal within the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, highlighting the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers seeking to exploit the nation’s busiest seaport.
The Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, commended officers of both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism.
“This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement,” Oshoba said.
“While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch.”
He described the interception as a bold statement for 2026 and reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance on illicit trade.
In line with established protocols, the NDLEA has taken possession of the seized cocaine for further investigation and possible prosecution of those involved.
The latest seizure is the third major drug interception recorded by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks. Barely two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel following actionable intelligence.
Also, on December 11, 2025, 1,187kg of “Canadian Loud”, a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, was packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container.
Oshoba reiterated that the Apapa Port Command remains resolute in its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding national security.
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