Nigerian customs seizes N26.5bn cannabis at Apapa port
A major drug seizure at Nigeria’s busiest port highlights stricter enforcement that could raise compliance costs and clearance times for legitimate importers.
Nigerian customs officers have seized 4,143.5 kilograms of cannabis indica valued at 26.5 billion naira at Apapa port, the country’s primary trade gateway. The narcotics were hidden inside three used vehicles loaded into container number FANU1933352, which was intercepted on July 10. The shipment contained a red 2015 Nissan Micra, a black 2019 Toyota Corolla S, and a gray 2015 Toyota Corolla.
The operation was executed by the Apapa Area Command alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba said credible intelligence prompted a detailed search that uncovered 162 bags holding 8,287 parcels of the drug, with each parcel weighing 500 grams. Four bags were found inside the Nissan, while the remaining 158 were packed on the container floor and in the spaces between the vehicles. "The drugs were carefully concealed within the container to evade detection by security agencies," Oshoba said.
For logistics operators and investors with exposure to Nigerian supply chains, the interception underscores an ongoing tightening of port controls. Apapa handles the vast majority of Nigeria's maritime trade, and a shift toward aggressive physical inspections carries the risk of longer cargo clearance times for commercial freight. Oshoba emphasized that the seizure demonstrated a commitment to ensuring only lawful trade thrives, urging compliant traders to remain confident in existing trade facilitation incentives.
This enforcement action follows a broader pattern of intensified scrutiny at the Lagos complex. Earlier this year, the Apapa command confiscated 13 containers carrying expired pharmaceuticals, food products, and restricted security equipment with a combined value of 6.38 billion naira. Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi noted that those seizures resulted from intelligence-driven operations backed by scanning technology and targeted physical checks.
The consistent large-scale seizures reflect a strict enforcement mandate under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. While the crackdown aims to curtail illicit imports, the operational reality for legitimate businesses is an environment of heightened scrutiny. Freight forwarders and importers utilizing Apapa must maintain rigorous documentation and accurate declarations to prevent their cargo from being caught in the customs net.
