The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed on a Brazilian vessel, MV San Anthonio, moments after it arrived at the Lagos Port.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Suleiman Isah, the illicit drugs were uncovered during a targeted, intelligence-led search of the ship. Officials discovered 24 compressed parcels of cocaine, neatly packed and hidden in five separate bags, prompting authorities to immediately place the vessel under detention pending further inquiry.
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port, emphasized that the operation highlights the growing synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). According to him, data shared among security agencies revealed that the ship had sailed from Brazil and passed through several countries notorious for narcotics trafficking, including Honduras and Guatemala.
Oshoba reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to curbing the movement of illegal substances through Nigerian ports. He stressed that the strengthened inter-agency cooperation is yielding tangible results, noting that criminal networks attempting to exploit maritime channels will face decisive pushback.
“What happened today reflects the effectiveness of our enhanced profiling techniques and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. The combined efforts of the NCS and NDLEA made this seizure possible. The detention of the vessel sends a clear message to drug cartels: our ports are not safe havens for their operations,” he stated.
With the festive season approaching—a period often associated with increased smuggling attempts—Oshoba disclosed that the Command will heighten its inspection of both incoming and outgoing shipments. The goal, he said, is to safeguard national security and prevent prohibited items from entering the country under any guise.
During a brief handover ceremony at the port, NDLEA officials, led by CN Haliru Umar of the Apapa Strategic Command, took possession of the seized cocaine. Umar confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the ship’s involvement and identify individuals or networks connected to the trafficking attempt.
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