The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as “Canadian Loud,” alongside expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of approximately ₦12.7 billion.

The seizure was made during an intelligence-driven operation at Apapa Port in Lagos, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies.

Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, disclosed that officers intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 3,639 sachets of Cannabis Sativa concealed inside imported vehicles and other items in an attempt to evade detection.

According to him, the illicit drugs weighed about 1,819 kilograms and were hidden within a shipment that included a Toyota Sienna vehicle, bags, and drums.

Oshoba said the successful operation underscored the command’s commitment to combating smuggling and preventing the entry of prohibited substances through the nation’s seaports.

In a related development, Customs officers also seized two containers carrying expired pharmaceutical products. Preliminary investigations revealed that many of the drugs had expired between 2021 and 2023.

The seized medicines reportedly included antibiotics, injections, capsules, eye drops, and other pharmaceutical products. Authorities expressed concern that the products may have been intended for relabelling and distribution within the Nigerian market, posing significant health risks to consumers.

The Customs Area Controller attributed the seizures to enhanced intelligence gathering, effective risk management strategies, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s determination to safeguard public health, national security, and the economy by preventing the importation of contraband and other prohibited goods.

The intercepted cannabis has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the illegal shipments.

The latest seizure represents one of the largest drug interceptions recorded at Apapa Port in recent times and highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle transnational smuggling networks operating through Nigeria’s maritime corridors.