Cocaine Bust: Apapa Customs Seizes 25.5kg of Illicit Substance from Brazilian Ship
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of 25.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, hidden in five bags containing 24 parcels, onboard a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio.
The vessel, which originated from Brazil and made stops at ports in Honduras and Guatemala, was intercepted after a thorough intelligence-led operation.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) for Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, praised the discovery, attributing it to the strong synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He reiterated the NCS’s commitment to ensuring only legitimate trade thrives in the port, following a zero-compromise directive by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The seized cocaine and the detained ship have been handed over to the NDLEA for further action. The CAC emphasised that the seizure and detention of the ship should serve as a warning to perpetrators of unlawful trade, assuring that the NCS will strengthen its collaboration with sister agencies to prevent such activities.
As the Yuletide season approaches, the CAC warned that national security and economy will not be sacrificed for trade facilitation, emphasising that all consignments will be thoroughly examined to ensure compliance with regulations.
The NDLEA has taken custody of the seized drugs and will take further action accordingly.
