Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa (popularly known as Canadian Loud) and expired pharmaceutical products valued at ₦12.7 billion duty paid, at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
While the seizure was carried out by the Apapa Command of the service in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency attached to the port.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Isah Sulaiman.
The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, told journalists at the presentation of the seized items that the operation was based on credible intelligence and the use of advanced risk assessment and cargo profiling tools by Customs officers.
Oshoba said officers of the command in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a 40ft container marked CAAU7569127 which was found to contain a large quantity of the illicit substance.
He said Canadian Loud is a very potent strain of marijuana that is smuggled into the country illegally, adding that the seized consignment was worth several billion naira on the black market.
He said the interception was an indication of the command’s renewed commitment to stop the entry of banned and dangerous substances into the country through the nation’s seaports.
The operation was made possible by intelligence gathering, modern scanning technology and detailed cargo profiling, which helped officers identify the suspicious container for physical examination, he said.
In a related operation, the command also intercepted two other 40-foot containers full of expired pharmaceutical products illegally imported into the country.
Oshoba said a physical examination of the containers showed that the drugs had expired between 2021 and 2023.
He alleged that the importers intended to repackage and relabel the expired products to circulate in the Nigerian market.
The comptroller warned there would be serious health risks to members of the public who were unaware of the dangers of such products if they were allowed into the market.
“The importers were to repack and relabel the expired products for circulation in the Nigerian market, he said.
Oshoba said the command’s valuation officers valued the combined duty-paid value of the seized cannabis and expired pharmaceutical products at ₦12.7 billion.
The Customs boss has warned smugglers, importers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command will continue to ramp up surveillance and enforcement operations to stop the importation of prohibited items through the port.
The command would not allow criminal elements to use Apapa Port as a channel to bring in illicit drugs, expired medicines or other dangerous products capable of undermining public health, national security and the economy, he said.
Oshoba also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the management of the service for the ongoing training programmes, saying they had enhanced the operational efficiency of officers.
He said the training and deployment of modern enforcement tools have enhanced the ability of Customs personnel to detect suspicious cargo and respond in a timely manner to smuggling attempts.
Praise for NDLEA Partnership
The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, praised the partnership between the Customs Service and the NDLEA, saying the collaboration had greatly improved the interception of contraband items at Apapa Port.
He said the joint operation highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating drug trafficking and other forms of illegal importation.
Investigations have started to identify the importers, clearing agents and other persons linked to the seized consignments, Oshoba said.
He said those found culpable would be handed over for possible prosecution according to the law.
NCS reiterated its zero tolerance to smuggling and appealed genuine importers to strictly adhere to the existing import rules to avoid sanctions.
The service also warned that any importer, or agent involved in false declaration, concealment or importation of prohibited goods will face the full weight of the law.410
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