Major Drug Bust: Customs, NDLEA Foil Smuggling Attempt At Apapa Port

Harboursandport.com:Lagos, Nigeria — January 2, 2026: The new year began with a decisive strike against international drug traffickers as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Apapa Area Command, working in close collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, intercepted a massive cocaine shipment at Apapa Port.

On Friday, January 2, 2026, the joint team uncovered 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed aboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel docked at the Greenview Terminal. The smugglers had employed sophisticated concealment methods, but their efforts were no match for the vigilance of Nigeria’s frontline enforcement agencies.

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, hailed the operation as a landmark success.

"This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement," he declared. "While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt succeeds under my watch."

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Apapa Port Customs Command, Isah Sulaiman, noted that the NDLEA has taken custody of the seized cocaine for further investigation and prosecution, ensuring that those behind the smuggling attempt will face the full weight of the law.

This interception is not an isolated victory. It marks the third major drug bust in recent weeks at Apapa Port:

Just two weeks earlier, 25.5 kilograms of cocaine were seized from another vessel.

On December 11, 2025, officers uncovered 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud” cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags, hidden inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.

The string of successful operations underscores Apapa Command’s zero-tolerance policy toward illicit trade and its dual mandate: facilitating legitimate commerce while safeguarding national security.

As smugglers continue to evolve their tactics, the Customs Service and NDLEA’s coordinated response sends a clear message—Nigeria’s seaports will not be safe havens for traffickers.