In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking to kick off the New Year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted 30.1 kilograms of cocaine aboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, at Lagos’ Apapa Port.
The seizure was made on January 2 at the Greenview Terminal. According to officials, the cocaine was carefully concealed in 30 slabs, underscoring the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by traffickers operating at Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
The NCS and NDLEA teams acted on intelligence received from international partners, which indicated that the vessel was carrying illicit substances bound for Europe and other foreign markets. “This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to disrupting the transnational drug trade and safeguarding Nigeria’s ports against criminal activities,” said a spokesperson for the NDLEA.
Customs officials also revealed that thorough inspections and the use of modern detection equipment played a key role in uncovering the drugs, preventing what could have been a major illegal shipment.
Both agencies have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the cocaine and identify individuals involved in the smuggling operation. The NCS and NDLEA reiterated their resolve to collaborate with global enforcement agencies to tackle drug trafficking and other organized crimes at the nation’s ports.
The seizure comes amid heightened efforts by Nigerian authorities to strengthen maritime security and prevent the country from becoming a hub for illicit drug transit.
