25.5kg Cocaine: Only legitimate trades will be allowed to thrive in Apapa Port, Customs vows

The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has vowed that only legitimate trade would be allowed to thrive in Apapa Port by the Service.

Comptroller Oshoba stated this while handing over cocaine weighing 25.5kg uncovered by his officers and men onboard a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio, to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Apapa Port last week.

The illicit drugs, packaged in 24 parcels/slabs, were hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence-led checks that resulted in the detention of the ship.

The representative of NDLEA, CN Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, took over the seizure from the Customs.

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port Command, lauded the discovery while describing it as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to the Area Controller, Customs 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 trade.

While handing over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further action, he also announced the detention of the vessel that came into Nigeria with the cocaine.

“What has happened is the outcome of profiling and intelligence -led operations by the NCS and NDLEA.

“Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.

”This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system.

“Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here.

”As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation.

“All consignments exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared,” the CAC said.