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The Nigeria Customs Service – NCS Apapa Area Command has intercepted a massive shipment of cannabis indica weighing 4,143.5 kilograms and valued at N26.5 billion. Acting on credible intelligence, customs officers partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency – NDLEA to conduct a thorough joint examination of the suspicious cargo on July 10, 2026.

The search uncovered the illicit drugs carefully hidden inside a 40-foot container that also housed three used vehicles, marking another major victory against smuggling networks operating in the region.

A detailed breakdown of the concealment revealed that smugglers used a red 2015 Nissan Micra, a black 2019 Toyota Corolla S, and a gray 2015 Toyota Corolla to mask the contraband within container FANU1933352. Officers discovered a total of 162 bags containing 8,287 individually wrapped 500-gram parcels of cannabis. While the two Toyota Corollas were clear of drugs, four bags were packed inside the Nissan Micra, and the remaining 158 bags were strategically wedged between the vehicles and across the container floor to maximize space and evade detection.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, condemned the smugglers’ tactics while praising the sharp vigilance and joint synergy of his officers and the NDLEA. Oshoba reiterated that Apapa Port remains a hostile environment for illicit trade, emphasizing that the operation directly aligns with the strict zero-tolerance directives issued by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He reassured compliant, law-abiding merchants that their businesses would continue to receive maximum support and trade facilitation incentives.

This high-value seizure is part of an ongoing crackdown at Nigeria’s busiest port, where authorities are increasingly deploying intelligence-driven inspections and modern scanning technology. An investigation is currently underway to identify and prosecute the individuals behind the shipment under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

This operation follows a similar success earlier this year when the command intercepted 13 containers of expired pharmaceuticals, codeine, and restricted security gear valued at N6.38 billion.