The Apapa Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio. The illicit drugs, packaged in 24 parcels/slabs, were cleverly hidden in five bags discovered during a customs intelligence-led search. As a result, the ship has been detained.
The successful operation is a testament to the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port Command, lauded the discovery, emphasizing that it was a direct result of collaborative efforts between the two agencies.
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According to Comptroller Oshoba, Customs intelligence revealed that the ship had visited ports in Honduras, Guatemala, and other suspected hubs for illicit drug trade before arriving in Nigeria. The Area Controller reiterated the NCS’s commitment to ensuring that only legitimate trade thrives in the port of Apapa, in line with the zero-compromise directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
The Apapa Command has handed over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further action, while the vessel has been detained. Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that this seizure and detention serve as a strong
warning to perpetrators of unlawful trade within the port system.
The Customs Area Controller assured that the NCS will continue to strengthen its synergy with sister government agencies to prevent unlawful trade. As the Yuletide season approaches, Comptroller Oshoba warned that the NCS will not compromise national security and economy for the sake of trade facilitation.
At a brief handover ceremony, CN Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, represented the NDLEA and formally took over the seized drugs from the Customs.
Newspoint247 reports that the Apapa Command’s successful operation is a significant blow to illicit drug traffickers and a demonstration of the NCS’s commitment to protecting the nation’s borders.
This is contained in a statement signed by CSC Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the Command on December 4th, Lagos.
