By Correspondent
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30 slabs of substances confirmed to be cocaine onboard the Marshall Islands-flagged ship MV Aruna, dealing a New Year’s blow to global drug trafficking networks.
According to a statement from Isah Sulaiman, the Apapa Customs Command’s public relations officer, the seizure took place at the Greenview Terminal in Apapa Port, Lagos, on January 2, 2026.
The statement highlights the complex strategies used by smugglers trying to take advantage of the busiest ports in the country by claiming that the illegal material was carefully concealed aboard the ship.
The illegal material was carefully concealed on board the ship, according to a statement from Apapa Port Command Public Relations Officer Isah Sulaiman. This highlights the sophisticated strategies used by smugglers trying to take advantage of the busiest seaport in the country.
The joint NCS-NDLEA team has intercepted three significant drugs in the last few weeks, including this most recent bust.
“Barely two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags aboard another vessel based on intelligence.”
“Additionally, on December 12, 2025, 1,187kg of “Canadian Loud”, a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container,” the statement said.
Emmanuel Oshoba, Apapa Command’s Customs Area Controller, called the interception a daring declaration for 2026 and reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance attitude for illegal trade. He restated the Apapa Port Command’s unwavering commitment to its mission of promoting lawful commerce while preserving national security.
No smuggling endeavor, whether posed as import, export, or transit cargo, is successful because Customs inspectors stay one step ahead of criminal elements that try to outsmart them.
The recovered cocaine has been turned over to the NDLEA for additional investigation and possible prosecution of individuals responsible.
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