National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Apapa Strategic Command has said it secured convictions and fines of over $12 million on two international vessels as well as three years conviction on one male drug convict without the option of fine.

The Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, Mohammed Tukur, disclosed this during the commemoration of the grand finale of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Lagos port corridor.

Tukur stated that the command collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Navy, the Police and other key law enforcement agencies and prevented the use of the country’s maritime gateways as channels for illicit drug supply and criminal exploitation.

Tukur said the agency disrupted illicit drug trafficking activities through the Apapa port from June 2025 to June 2026, with the interception and seizure of 13 containers containing various illicit substances.

He listed the seizures to include, 162.47 tonnes of Codeine-based syrups, 77kg of Cocaine recovered from three international vessels, Cannabis Indica including Canadian Loud/Colorado weighing 8,107.5kg and 1,516kg of Cannabis Sativa.

Tukur said the ports and maritime corridors must remain secure spaces dedicated to legitimate trade and not become avenues for the movement of substances capable of damaging lives and destabilising communities.

According to him, while significant progress has been made in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, Organised Criminal Networks are constantly adopting new methods of operation, exploiting technological advancements and identifying new routes for the movement of illicit drugs.

The Customs Area Controller, Port Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) Command, Nura Miko, described drug abuse and illicit trafficking as a global challenge that requires the collective efforts of law enforcement agencies, families and the wider society.

Miko said while the NDLEA remains the lead agency in the fight against narcotics, other security organisations, including the Nigeria Customs Service, have a responsibility to support the campaign against illicit drugs.

Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja, expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse in communities, warning that the trend could have far-reaching consequences if not addressed through sustained awareness campaigns and collective action.

She also stressed that the police remains committed to fighting drug trafficking at the seaports, urging importers and port users to desist from illicit drugs trafficking.