The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband goods valued at ₦6.38 billion at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos, including expired pharmaceuticals, codeine-based cough syrups, cannabis and restricted security equipment.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing at APM Terminals in Apapa on Tuesday, revealing that the seizures involved 13 containers alongside other illicit items uncovered through intelligence-driven operations.
According to him, the interceptions were made through the deployment of cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examinations following the detection of suspicious cargo profiles during routine inspection.
He explained that a detailed examination of the containers uncovered several prohibited and falsely declared consignments.
Among the seizures was a 40-foot container loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.
Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.
In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup was found carefully concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
Other pharmaceutical seizures included cartons of Artesunate injections, while a separate container was discovered to contain restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches imported without the required End-User Certificates.
The Service also uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of expired energy drinks and large quantities of expired tomato paste.
Further inspections revealed a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks.
Another container was found carrying 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden inside shipments of electric kettles, alongside additional cartons of Co-codamol tablets.
Customs operatives also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms, which were concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Adeniyi described the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports.
He warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health, while the smuggling of codeine-based products fuels the growing challenge of substance abuse.
The Comptroller-General noted that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the seized items are liable to outright forfeiture, adding that investigations are ongoing and all persons linked to the consignments will face prosecution.
He further stressed that the Service is expanding the use of non-intrusive inspection technology to enhance cargo clearance efficiency while strengthening enforcement against high-risk shipments.
According to him, Apapa Port handles thousands of containers daily, making it one of the most strategic trade gateways in West Africa.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi stated.
He assured compliant traders that Customs enforcement efforts are not targeted at legitimate businesses but are aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and protecting citizens from dangerous and illegal imports.
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