Customs, NDLEA Seize 1.81 Tonnes Of Canadian Loud In Lagos

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud, and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined duty-paid value of ₦12.7 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure was carried out by the Apapa Command of the service in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stationed at the port.

Naija News reports that the command’s spokesperson, Isah Sulaiman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists during the display of the seized items, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the operation followed credible intelligence and the deployment of advanced risk assessment and cargo profiling tools by Customs officers.

Oshoba said officers of the command, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives, intercepted a 40-foot container marked CAAU7569127, which was found to contain a large quantity of the illicit substance.

He described Canadian Loud as a highly potent strain of marijuana illegally imported into the country, adding that the seized consignment was worth several billion naira on the black market.

According to him, the interception demonstrated the command’s renewed commitment to blocking the entry of prohibited and dangerous substances into the country through the nation’s seaports.

He said the operation was made possible through intelligence gathering, modern scanning technology and detailed cargo profiling, which helped officers identify the suspicious container for physical examination.

In a related operation, the command also intercepted two additional 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products unlawfully imported into the country.

Oshoba said physical examination of the containers revealed that the drugs had expired between 2021 and 2023.

He alleged that the importers planned to repackage and relabel the expired products for circulation in the Nigerian market.

The comptroller warned that such products posed serious health risks to unsuspecting members of the public if allowed to enter the market.

He said, “The importers intended to repackage and relabel the expired products for circulation within the Nigerian market.”

Oshoba said valuation officers of the command estimated the combined duty-paid value of the seized cannabis and expired pharmaceutical products at ₦12.7 billion.

The Customs boss warned smugglers, importers and their collaborators that the Apapa Command would continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent the importation of prohibited items through the port.

He said the command would not allow criminal elements to use Apapa Port as a channel for bringing in illicit drugs, expired medicines or other dangerous products capable of undermining public health, national security and the economy.

Oshoba also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the management of the service for continuous training programmes, which he said had improved the operational efficiency of officers.

According to him, the training and deployment of modern enforcement tools have strengthened the capacity of Customs personnel to detect suspicious cargo and respond promptly to smuggling attempts.

NDLEA Partnership Praised

The comptroller praised the collaboration between the Customs Service and the NDLEA, saying the partnership had significantly enhanced the interception of contraband items at Apapa Port.

He noted that the joint operation showed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling drug trafficking and other forms of illegal importation.

Oshoba said investigations had commenced to identify the importers, clearing agents and other persons connected to the seized consignments.

According to him, those found culpable would be handed over for possible prosecution in line with the law.

The NCS reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and urged legitimate importers to comply fully with existing import regulations to avoid sanctions.

The service also warned that any importer or agent involved in false declaration, concealment or importation of prohibited goods would face the full weight of the law.