Customs intercepts N12.7bn cannabis, expired drugs in Lagos

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud, along with expired pharmaceutical products valued at N12.7 billion during a joint operation at Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Apapa Command, Isah Sulaiman.

Addressing journalists while displaying the seized items, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stationed at the port.

According to him, the success of the operation was made possible through credible intelligence gathering and the deployment of advanced risk assessment and profiling tools by Customs officers.

Oshoba explained that Customs officers and NDLEA operatives jointly intercepted a 40-foot container marked CAAU7569127, which was found to contain a large quantity of the illicit substance.

He described Canadian Loud as a highly potent strain of marijuana illegally imported into the country and worth several billions of naira on the black market.

The comptroller further disclosed that officers also uncovered significant quantities of expired drugs concealed in containers in an attempt to evade detection.

In a related operation, the command intercepted two additional 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products imported into the country unlawfully.

According to Oshoba, physical examination revealed that the drugs had expired between 2021 and 2023.

He alleged that the importers intended to repackage and relabel the expired products for circulation within the Nigerian market, warning that such products posed serious health dangers to consumers.

The Customs boss stated that valuation officers estimated the combined duty-paid value of the seized cannabis and expired drugs at N12.7 billion.

He warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command would continue to intensify efforts to block the importation of prohibited items through the port.

Oshoba also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the management of the service for continuous training programmes which, according to him, have improved operational efficiency among officers.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding national security, public health and the economy by preventing dangerous and illicit substances from entering the country.

The comptroller praised the collaboration between Customs and the NDLEA, noting that the partnership had significantly enhanced the interception of contraband items at Apapa Port.

He added that modern scanning technology and cargo profiling systems played a major role in identifying the suspicious containers for detailed inspection.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to identify the importers, clearing agents and other individuals connected to the seized consignments for possible prosecution.

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and urged legitimate importers to comply fully with existing import regulations to avoid sanctions.