The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking and the illegal pharmaceutical trade with th interception of narcotics, fake medicines and expired pharmaceutical products valued at ₦53.39 billion at the Apapa Port, reinforcing its determination to protect public health, national security and Nigeria’s borders.
Addressing journalists during the handover ceremony at the Apapa Area Command on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the operation as one of the Service’s most significant anti-smuggling breakthroughs, saying it underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
The seizures, which were made through intensive intelligence gathering, non-intrusive inspection technology, scanning analysis and joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), involved nine containers carrying dangerous narcotics, counterfeit medicines and expired pharmaceutical products destined for the Nigerian.
According to Adeniyi, the seizures followed deliberations at the recent 147th/148th Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council in Brussels, where customs administrations from 187 member countries reaffirmed their commitment to protecting society through stronger international cooperation against transnational crime.
Massive Drug Seizures
Among the most significant interceptions was a 40-foot container (CAAU7569127) found to contain 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing approximately 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and automobile spare parts.
Another 40-foot container (HAMU3246311) concealed 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden among imported vehicles and household goods.
Hundreds of Thousands of Bottles of Codeine Intercepted
The Customs Service also intercepted two separate containers loaded with large consignments of codeine syrup.
One container (MRKU3816476) carried 1,700 cartons containing 170,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup, while another container (TGBU5399178) concealed 1,698 cartons containing 169,800 bottles, hidden inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
Expired and Fake Medicines Seized
The anti-smuggling operation further uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections, B-Complex injections, eye drops and other regulated medicines.
Customs officers also intercepted a container loaded with Piccan Teething Powder, while another consignment containing 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules was discovered to bear a fake NAFDAC registration number despite appearing legitimate during initial inspection.
According to the Customs boss, detailed verification revealed that the products were never registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), confirming an elaborate attempt to flood the Nigerian market with unregistered medicines capable of endangering public health.
₦53.39 Billion Worth of Dangerous Goods
The Comptroller-General disclosed that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the nine seizures stands at ₦53,391,140,029.
He stressed, however, that the true value of the seizures goes beyond monetary estimates.
“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.
Customs Hands Over Narcotics to NDLEA, Medicines to NAFDAC
In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the narcotic drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired and counterfeit pharmaceutical products were transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
The Customs Service clarified that vehicles, spare parts and other legitimate goods used to conceal the prohibited items will remain under Customs custody pending seizure, forfeiture, revenue recovery and other enforcement procedures prescribed by law.
Customs Warns Smugglers
Commending officers of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence and strategic partnerships to combat organised crime.
He also praised the sustained collaboration between the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies, describing it as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s border security architecture.
Issuing a stern warning to criminal syndicates, the Customs boss declared that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe routes for smugglers.
He vowed that every intelligence report would be pursued, every violation investigated and every offender prosecuted in accordance with the law.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to strengthen coordinated border management, deploy modern technology and deepen collaboration with both local and international partners to protect the nation’s economy, safeguard public health and secure Nigeria’s borders against illicit trade.
The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted nine containers carrying narcotics, counterfeit and expired medicines worth ₦53.39 billion at Apapa Port, handing over the illicit consignments to NDLEA and NAFDAC for prosecution and regulatory action.
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