Customs Intercepts Narcotic Drug, Fake, Expired pharmaceuticals worth ₦53.4bn at Apapa Port

By Ranmilowo Ojalumo    -The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has turned over illicit narcotics, expired pharmaceuticals and unregistered medicines valued at over ₦53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), following a large-scale anti-smuggling operation at Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizures, involving nine containers intercepted through intelligence-led operations, were formally handed over on Wednesday at the Apapa Area Command. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the operation as another demonstration of the Service’s determination to prevent dangerous substances from entering the Nigerian market.

According to Adeniyi, the interceptions were made after months of intelligence gathering, coordinated surveillance, non-intrusive inspection, physical examination and collaboration with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies.

Among the most significant seizures were two 40-foot containers packed with 6.77 metric tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud. The illicit drugs had been carefully concealed inside consignments containing imported vehicles, household goods and automobile spare parts in an attempt to beat security checks.

Customs officers also uncovered two separate containers carrying 339,800 bottles of Codeine Syrup, which had been hidden inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

The operation further exposed three containers filled with expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections. Authorities warned that the circulation of such products could pose grave health risks to unsuspecting consumers.

In addition, officers intercepted a container loaded with Piccan Teething Powder as well as another containing 1,100 packages of CHAPCOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing counterfeit NAFDAC registration numbers and falsified import documents.

Adeniyi disclosed that investigations confirmed the medicines were never registered by NAFDAC, indicating an organised attempt to introduce counterfeit and unapproved pharmaceutical products into the country.

He said the seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53,391,140,029 but stressed that the significance of the operation should not be measured by financial value alone.

“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 stated.

The Customs boss noted that the successful operation came shortly after the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and aligned with resolutions adopted during the 147th and 148th Council Sessions of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, where member administrations renewed their commitment to combating cross-border crime through enhanced international cooperation.

He announced that all narcotic substances recovered during the operation would be handed over to the NDLEA for investigation and prosecution, while expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and destruction.

Adeniyi clarified that the imported vehicles, spare parts and other legitimate cargo used to conceal the contraband would remain in Customs custody pending forfeiture proceedings, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He commended officers of the Apapa Area Command for their vigilance and professionalism, while applauding the sustained partnership between the Customs Service, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.Warning smugglers, Adeniyi declared that Nigeria’s seaports would continue to be subjected to sophisticated intelligence and technology-driven monitoring aimed at frustrating criminal networks engaged in trafficking narcotics, fake medicines and other prohibited goods.

Earlier in his remark, the Custom Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller E.O.A Oshoba condemned smuggling in its entirety, stating that smuggled illicit drugs and expired as well as unregistered pharmaceuticals are inimical not only to the nation’s economy but also to the health or citizens.

He commended the custom controller general Adeniyi for his encouragement and unwavering supports that has enabled the officers at the command to carry out their duty efficiently. He asserted that Apapa port will never be a safe haven for smugglers.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), represented by the Assistant Controller-General of Narcotics, Archie Abia Ibinabo, described the seizures as a major victory against transnational organised crime.

Marwa revealed that investigations leading to the seizures lasted more than four months and involved the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other international law enforcement partners.

He explained that one of the containers departed Toronto, Canada, on April 16 before passing through Montreal and Morocco on its way to Nigeria, while the second shipment left Montreal on May 1 and also travelled through several trans-shipment points before both consignments were intercepted during joint examinations at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

According to him, taking more than six metric tonnes of cannabis off the streets has significantly disrupted the operations of drug trafficking organisations seeking to infiltrate Nigerian communities.

Marwa said the NDLEA’s work would not end with the seizures, adding that investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible for the shipments, prosecute them and confiscate assets linked to their criminal enterprise.

He praised officers of the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other participating security agencies for what he described as exceptional professionalism and dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime gateways.

Marwa also acknowledged the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs for strengthening intelligence sharing and joint enforcement operations among security agencies, noting that such collaboration remains crucial to dismantling sophisticated criminal networks.

He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to working closely with Customs and other stakeholders to prevent illicit drugs from entering the country, enhance maritime security and protect Nigerians from the dangers associated with narcotics and counterfeit medicines.

The ceremony concluded with the formal transfer of the confiscated narcotics to the NDLEA and the expired and fake pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC, reinforcing the growing partnership among Nigeria’s law enforcement and regulatory agencies in protecting public health and securing the nation’s borders.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who was ably represented at the event by a director at the agency, Dr Kunle Olaniran noted that the NAFDAC, Custom, NDLEA and other relevant agencies are on the same page to ensure expired and fake items don’t find their way into the Nigeria market.

He urged Nigerians to always look out for NAFDAC number on the pack of every product before buying them and anyone that sees anything contrary should alert the agency immediately.