Customs Seizes N53.39bn Worth of Narcotics, Expired Pharmaceuticals at Apapa, Hands Over Contraband to NDLEA, NAFDAC
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted nine containers laden with narcotic drugs, expired pharmaceutical products and fake medicines with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53.39 billion, describing the seizures as a major blow to organised criminal networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s seaports for illicit trade.
Speaking during the formal handover of the seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the interceptions underscored the Service’s growing intelligence capabilities and unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerians from dangerous substances.
Adeniyi stated that the operation reflected the Customs Service’s strengthened focus on societal protection through intelligence-led border management and enhanced collaboration with sister security and regulatory agencies.
According to him, the exercise came barely days after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reinforcing the Service’s determination to secure Nigeria’s borders, protect public health, preserve the future of young people and strengthen national security.
The Customs boss explained that the seizures were made by officers of the Apapa Area Command following painstaking intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination of cargo and close collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He disclosed that two 40-foot containers concealed massive quantities of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud”, alongside imported vehicles, automobile spare parts and household goods.
One of the containers, identified as CAAU7569127, contained 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,819.5 kilogrammes, hidden alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
Another container, numbered HAMU3246311, was found conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, concealed together with two imported vehicles and household items.
In addition to the narcotics, Customs officers intercepted two separate consignments of codeine syrup concealed inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes.
Container MRKU3816476 contained 1,700 cartons comprising 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, while container TGBU5399178 carried 1,698 cartons containing 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup, both cleverly hidden to evade detection.
The Service also uncovered several consignments of expired pharmaceutical products destined for the Nigerian market.
One container, HASU4519480, contained 1,300 cartons of expired medicines, including Tramadol marketed under the Timakadol brand.
Another container, MRKU4961275, was laden with 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets branded as Termigral.
A third shipment, container PCIU8771576, also contained expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin 100mg capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.
Customs also intercepted a 20-foot container, MRKU6964435, carrying Piccan Teething Powder for regulatory action.
Perhaps one of the most alarming discoveries, according to Adeniyi, was a 40-foot container, TCKU7000791, carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake registration number purportedly issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He explained that although the consignment initially appeared genuine, detailed verification revealed that the NAFDAC registration certificate presented by the importer was fraudulent.
The fake registration number and accompanying documentation, he said, clearly indicated a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into Nigeria, thereby posing a serious threat to public health.
Consequently, the consignment was seized under the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation and regulatory action.
Adeniyi stressed that while the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the nine seizures stood at N53,391,140,029, the real significance of the operation extended beyond the financial implications.
“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,” he said.
The Comptroller-General warned that the importation of expired medicines, controlled drugs and counterfeit pharmaceuticals posed grave risks to public health, noting that criminal syndicates had become increasingly sophisticated in concealing prohibited items within legitimate cargo.
However, he maintained that the Customs Service now possesses the intelligence capability, technological resources and operational readiness required to detect, intercept and dismantle such criminal operations.
In line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, Adeniyi announced that all narcotic drugs seized during the operation would be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution. Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products would be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
He clarified that where prohibited items had been concealed alongside imported vehicles, spare parts and other legitimate goods, only the narcotics and expired medicines were being transferred to the relevant agencies.
The remaining imported goods, he said, would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law.
Adeniyi commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication, while also praising the sustained collaboration between Customs, the NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.
He noted that such inter-agency cooperation had significantly strengthened Nigeria’s border security architecture and enhanced the country’s ability to combat transnational organised crime.
The Customs boss also referenced his recent participation at the 147th and 148th Sessions of the Council of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, where customs administrations from 187 member countries deliberated on the theme, “Customs Protecting the Society through Vigilance and Commitment.”
He said the international meeting provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration with global partners, including the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and INTERPOL, aimed at strengthening efforts against drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
Adeniyi reaffirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to deepen cooperation with government agencies, the private sector and international partners to prevent criminal organisations from exploiting Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“Our resolve is unwavering. Every intelligence lead will be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated and every offender brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he declared.
He issued a stern warning to smugglers and organised criminal syndicates, stating that Nigeria’s seaports were no longer safe havens for traffickers of illicit drugs, expired medicines and other prohibited goods.
According to him, through the deployment of technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and highly trained personnel, the Service is steadily closing loopholes previously exploited by criminal networks.
He pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with partner agencies, would continue to intercept illicit consignments, prosecute offenders, facilitate legitimate trade, protect public health and safeguard Nigeria’s economy and national security.
