In a significant victory against the international drug trade, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a massive haul of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard a Brazilian-flagged vessel.1
The drug bust, which led to the immediate detention of the ship, underscores the intensified collaboration between the Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to secure Nigeria’s maritime gateways.2
The Details of the Seizure
The illicit drugs were discovered on the vessel, identified as MV San Anthonio, which had sailed from Brazil.3
-
Quantity Seized: 25.5 kilograms of cocaine.4
-
Concealment: The drugs were tightly packaged in 24 parcels/slabs and concealed within five bags found onboard the ship.5
-
Vessel Detained: The ship, MV San Anthonio, has been detained pending further investigation.6
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller for the Apapa Port Command, revealed that the breakthrough was a direct result of meticulous profiling and intelligence-led operations carried out in synergy with the NDLEA.7
The International Trail
Customs intelligence indicated that the Brazilian ship raised red flags due to its itinerary:
“Our intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship’s country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala, and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade8,” Comptroller Oshoba stated.9
This established pattern of movement through notorious drug trafficking corridors confirmed the need for a targeted inspection, which ultimately led to the discovery of the hard drugs.10
Zero Compromise on National Security
The seizure aligns with the directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on maintaining a zero-compromise posture against unlawful trade.11
Comptroller Oshoba reiterated the command’s commitment, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches:12
“This seizure and detention of the ship should send a strong message of warning that should resonate with perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system… As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation.”
Following the procedure for drug seizures, the Customs Service has officially handed over the 25.5kg of cocaine to the NDLEA, represented by the Commander of the Apapa Strategic Command, CN Haliru Umar, for further investigation and prosecution of all parties involved.13
The successful operation serves as a potent deterrent, reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to dismantle international drug cartels attempting to use its ports as transit points into West Africa and beyond.
