For the umpteen time, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted no fewer than 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed onboard the MV Aruna Hulya, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel.
It is on record that this latest bust marks the third major drug interception by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks.
Maritime Bits had reported at the tail end of 2025 that the two government agencies joined forces to seize 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags aboard another vessel based on intelligence.
In the same vein, on 11 December 2025, 1,187kg of Canadian Loud, a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container was also seized through the joint efforts of both agencies.
Regarded as a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, NCS in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Isah Sulaiman disclosed that the present seizure occurred on January 2, 2026, the first working day of the New Year at the Greenview Terminal within Apapa Port, Lagos.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, underscoring the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers attempting to exploit the nation’s busiest seaport.
Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) quoted the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba commending men and officers of NCS and NDLEA for their vigilance and professionalism.
Oshoba’s words: “This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement. While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch.”
Describing the interception as a bold statement for 2026, Oshoba reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards illicit trade.
In line with established protocols, the NDLEA has taken possession of the seized cocaine for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.
According to the CAC, Apapa Port Command remains steadfast in its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding national security in the discharge of its core mandate.
