Customs Cracks Down on Illegal Imports, Recovers 1.8 Tonnes of Cannabis
Pecohub The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has thwarted an attempt to distribute expired pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market and intercepted 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa during intelligence-led operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.
According to the Command, officers recovered 3,639 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as “Canadian Loud,” with a total estimated weight of approximately 1,819 kilograms (1.81 tonnes). The illicit substance was reportedly concealed inside vehicles, bags, and drums packed within a 40-foot container.
The operation was carried out in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other regulatory bodies using enhanced intelligence gathering and risk-profiling systems.
In a separate interception, Customs officials seized two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products allegedly intended for illegal relabelling and reintroduction into the Nigerian market.
Authorities disclosed that the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals stands at approximately ₦12.78 billion, describing the attempted importation as a serious threat to public health and economic stability.
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, who addressed journalists on the seizures, warned importers and collaborators involved in smuggling, drug trafficking, and the importation of unsafe products to desist from such activities, stressing that the Command would continue to intensify enforcement efforts to protect Nigerians and safeguard the nation’s economy.
