Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, have foiled a massive smuggling attempt, intercepting restricted surveillance drones, illicit narcotics, and expired pharmaceutical products valued at N43.59 billion.
The high-profile seizure took place on Thursday morning, September 10, 2026, at the APM Terminals examination bay inside the Apapa Port complex in Lagos.
​The operation followed months of intelligence gathering, risk-profiling systems, and scanning analysis carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security partners.
​Speaking to newsmen during a physical inspection press briefing at the port, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, revealed that the contraband was artfully concealed across multiple containers to bypass routine checks.
Restricted military-grade surveillance equipment was declared as ordinary electronics, while tons of high-grade narcotics and expired, toxic pharmaceuticals were hidden beneath auto spare parts and household goods.
​Details of Intercepted Shipments include; Military Hardware, unregistered surveillance drones and restricted aviation gear lacking necessary clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Narcotics; Heavy packages of Cannabis Sativa (“Canadian Loud”) and codeine syrups concealed in multi-layered cargo.
Expired Pharmaceuticals: Unregistered, expired controlled drugs, including tramadol and fake NAFDAC-labeled medicines, intended for relabeling and reintroduction into the domestic market.
​”Unpatriotic importers and their syndicates who deliberately traffic drugs and attempt to flood our market with dangerous pharmaceuticals are threats to national security,” said CSC Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer for the Apapa Command, reading a statement on behalf of leadership. “This intercept represents countlessly preserved lives, secured communities, and a decisive blow to criminal networks.”
​The seized pharmaceutical products and narcotics are scheduled to be formally handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and destruction.
Customs officials emphasized that while criminal trade channels will be ruthlessly targeted, legitimate maritime commerce at the port will remain uninterrupted.
