Apapa Customs Seizes 1.8 Tonnes of Cannabis, Intercepts Expired Drugs Worth N12.8bn

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud,” and seized two containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products in a series of intelligence-led operations at the Lagos port.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the Customs said the seizures were made through coordinated operations involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and other security agencies.

According to the statement, officers intercepted a 40-foot container conveying 3,639 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, each weighing 500 grams, with a total weight of about 1,819 kilograms.

The illicit drugs were reportedly concealed inside a Toyota vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus, as well as bags and drums loaded within the container. Preliminary tests confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa.

The Command also intercepted two separate 40-foot containers containing expired pharmaceutical products with expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023.

Customs said investigations revealed that the products were allegedly intended to be relabelled and reintroduced into the Nigerian market despite being expired.

Among the seized drugs were Cidoxilin Capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 Injection, Becoline B-Complex Injection, Oxytocin Injection, Mexclor Eye Drops, Avomex Tablets, Carbamazepine Tablets, Silymarin Tablets, Nystatin Tablets and Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets.

The Command said the combined Duty Paid Value of the seized narcotics and expired pharmaceuticals is estimated at over N12.78 billion.

Speaking on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, warned that individuals involved in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of expired medicines would face the full weight of the law.

He said the Command would continue to deploy intelligence gathering, risk profiling and modern technology to prevent criminal exploitation of the nation’s seaports while facilitating legitimate trade.

Oshoba also assured Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to safeguarding public health, protecting the economy and strengthening national security through sustained enforcement operations.