Apapa Customs Intercepts Containers of Codeine, Fake Drugs, Stolen Cars Worth N3.2bn
By Ranmilowo Ojalumo- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations, seizing six containers loaded with prohibited items valued at over N3.2 billion.
Comptroller B.O. Olomu, who disclosed the development during a press briefing on Thursday, said the seizures were the result of “uncompromising anti-smuggling activities,” supported by strong inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven enforcement.
According to Olomu, the seized items include unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing, and two luxury vehicles reportedly stolen from Canada. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized containers stands at N3,247,427,969.00.
The Customs chief explained that the seizures fall under three main categories and in Category 1 is Codeine Syrup Concealment, which is two 40-foot containers — SUDU 8685733 and MRSU 4846204 intercepted carrying 1,698 and 1,690 cartons of cough syrup with codeine, respectively. The contraband was hidden within consignments falsely declared as water closets and toilet seats. The street value of these two seizures alone is estimated at N2.71 billion.
Olomu revealed that the success of this operation was largely due to international collaboration and support from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Category 2 of the seizure is unregistered Pharmaceuticals and False Declarations consisting two additional containers — ONEU 1153150 and MRSU 3258823, found to contain dangerous and unregistered pharmaceutical products. Items included Globatin anti-marks cream, Clobetasol cream, Rabeprazole injections, Vancomycin, and Ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, all without NAFDAC registration numbers. These were falsely declared as truck tyres, kitchenware, and tables.
Category 3 of the seizure according controller Olomu is Stolen Vehicles and Used Clothing, container, MRKU 0904594, carried two stolen luxury vehicles: a 2024 Lexus RX 450 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350, both falsely declared as food items. Another shipment, SEKU 4716830, held 390 bales of used clothing, contravening Nigeria’s import prohibition laws.
Controller Olomu emphasized that the command remains committed to balancing trade facilitation with strict compliance enforcement. “We will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation,” he stated, adding that protecting Nigerians from harmful imports is a core duty of the Customs Service.
“Our operations are guided by the inspiring leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who recently showcased 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals during his visit to the command,” Olomu said.
He also noted that the intercepted pharmaceuticals/ drugs violate not only the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 but also global enforcement standards under the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV, which targets counterfeit and unauthorized medical products.
In addition to enforcement activities, the Apapa Command has surpassed the N1 trillion mark in revenue collection for the year — achieving N1.094 trillion as of May 21, 2025, less than five months into the fiscal year.
“Our trajectory confirms our capacity to meet and exceed revenue targets. For instance, we recorded groundbreaking daily collections of N18.2 billion in October 2024, N18.9 billion on March 14, 2025, and another record of N18.919 billion on May 20, 2025,” controller Olomu revealed.
The Customs boss issued a stern warning to smugglers and unscrupulous importers, declaring Apapa Port a “no-go area” for illegal activities.
“Our officers are fully prepared to uncover concealments, make seizures, and carry out arrests when necessary,” he warned, noting that three suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation in connection with the recent seizures.
