Intelligence-Led Enforcement: NCS, NDLEA Foil Cocaine Smuggling Attempt At Apapa Port
Intelligence-Led Enforcement: NCS,
NDLEA Foil Cocaine Smuggling Attempt At Apapa Port
By Success Okezie
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the seizure of 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The interception, which took place on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, involved 30 slabs of cocaine concealed onboard MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands–flagged vessel berthed at the Greenview Terminal.
The operation was carried out on the first working day of the New Year, signaling what officials described as a strong and decisive start to enforcement activities in 2026.
Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the success to effective intelligence gathering and seamless inter-agency cooperation.
Oshoba said the concealment method adopted by the smugglers showed a high level of sophistication, but was no match for the vigilance of officers deployed to the port.
He reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling and other forms of illicit trade, stressing that Apapa Port would not be allowed to serve as a transit point for criminal networks.
According to him, the seizure underscores the commitment of the Federal Government to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and protecting the economy from the dangers of drug trafficking.
The Comptroller noted that the collaboration between the NCS and NDLEA had continued to yield positive results, particularly in the area of intelligence-led enforcement.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Apapa Port Customs, Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman,
noted that the seized cocaine had been handed over to the NDLEA in line with established procedures for further investigation and prosecution.
Oshoba recalled that the latest interception was the third major drug seizure recorded by the joint team within a few weeks.
He said that about two weeks earlier, officers intercepted 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel at the port.
In another related operation on Dec. 11, 2025, the joint team also uncovered 1,187 kilograms of a high-grade cannabis strain popularly known as “Canadian Loud,” hidden in imported vehicles inside a 40-foot container.
Oshoba said these seizures reflected increased surveillance and improved operational strategies at the nation’s busiest seaport.
He assured stakeholders that while the command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, it would continue to deploy all lawful means to combat smuggling and related crimes.
The Area Controller urged port users and members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to further strengthen the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
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