Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud, along with large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N12.7 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The seizure, one of the biggest recorded at the nation’s busiest seaport in recent times, was made during a joint operation involving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The development was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Isah Sulaiman.
Addressing journalists while displaying the seized items, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the operation was successful because of effective intelligence gathering and strong collaboration between security agencies stationed at the port.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the commitment of the Customs Service to preventing dangerous and prohibited items from finding their way into the Nigerian market.
Oshoba explained that officers of the Apapa Command, working together with NDLEA personnel, intercepted a 40-foot container marked CAAU7569127 during routine checks and intelligence-driven inspections.
A detailed examination of the container revealed a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa concealed among other goods.
He described the seized substance, commonly referred to as Canadian Loud, as a highly potent variety of marijuana that has become increasingly popular among drug traffickers because of its high street value.
According to him, the quantity intercepted weighed about 1.81 tonnes and was worth several billions of naira on the black market.
“This success was achieved through credible intelligence and the deployment of advanced risk assessment and profiling tools by our officers,” Oshoba said.
He noted that the increasing sophistication of smugglers had made it necessary for Customs officers to adopt modern methods of cargo inspection and surveillance.
Beyond the seizure of the illicit drug, the command also uncovered large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products imported into the country in violation of existing regulations.
In a related operation, Customs officers intercepted two additional 40-foot containers loaded with expired drugs.
According to Oshoba, a physical examination of the containers revealed that many of the pharmaceutical products had expired between 2021 and 2023.
He alleged that those behind the illegal importation intended to repackage and relabel the expired products before distributing them to unsuspecting members of the public.
The comptroller warned that the circulation of expired drugs poses a serious threat to public health and could endanger the lives of Nigerians.
He explained that expired medicines may lose their effectiveness, fail to treat illnesses properly and, in some cases, cause harmful reactions.
He added that the seizure prevented potentially dangerous products from reaching pharmacies, hospitals and open markets across the country.
“Our findings indicate that these products were imported unlawfully, and there were plans to repackage and relabel them for circulation within the Nigerian market,” Oshoba stated.
“This would have posed serious health dangers to consumers.”
Valuation officers of the command estimated the combined duty-paid value of the cannabis and expired drugs at N12.7 billion.
The huge value of the seized items underscores the scale of illicit trade through the country’s ports and the financial losses criminals are willing to incur in pursuit of profit.
Oshoba warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command would not relent in its efforts to prevent the importation of prohibited items.
He stressed that the command remained committed to safeguarding national security, protecting public health and supporting the economy by ensuring that only legitimate goods entered the country through the seaports.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for introducing regular training programs and reforms aimed at improving the skills and efficiency of Customs personnel.
According to him, continuous training has equipped officers with the expertise needed to identify suspicious consignments and tackle increasingly sophisticated smuggling tactics.
The comptroller further praised the collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA, describing it as a model of inter-agency cooperation.
He said the partnership had significantly strengthened efforts to intercept contraband items at the Apapa Port.
“Modern scanning technology and cargo profiling systems played a major role in identifying the suspicious containers for detailed inspection,” he said.
The Nigeria Customs Service has in recent years intensified efforts to combat smuggling through the use of technology, intelligence sharing and enhanced border surveillance.
Apapa Port, one of the busiest maritime gateways in West Africa, handles thousands of containers daily and remains a major entry point for imported goods into Nigeria.
However, the port has also been targeted by criminal networks seeking to smuggle narcotics, counterfeit products and other prohibited items into the country.
The seizure comes at a time when security agencies are stepping up the fight against drug trafficking and the distribution of fake and expired medicines.
The NDLEA has repeatedly warned about the growing threat posed by illicit drugs, particularly among young people, while health authorities have continued to caution Nigerians against purchasing medicines from unregistered sources.
Investigations into the latest seizures are ongoing.
According to Oshoba, efforts are being intensified to identify the importers, clearing agents and other individuals connected to the consignments.
Those found culpable, he said, would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Nigeria Customs Service also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and advised importers to comply fully with all import regulations and procedures.
It warned that anyone attempting to undermine the country’s laws for personal gain would face the full weight of the law.
For many Nigerians, the interception of the cannabis and expired drugs is a reminder of the critical role played by Customs and other security agencies in protecting the nation from harmful substances and illegal trade.