Felix Kumuyi
Customs Hits Hard drugs Syndicate Hard, Confiscates 9 Container Shipment Worth N53.3Bn in Apapa Port
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Phd
Once again, the Nigeria Customs Service, in a collaboration with other security sister agencies such as NDLEA have in a strategic move mopped up and intercepted another massive set of narcotic drugs and expired Pharmaceuticals, concealed in about nine (9) 40 footer containers, in what could have compounded the already worsened health and security situation of the nation.
Comptroller EAO Oshoba, CAC, Apapa Area One Command, NCS
The incessant records of hard drugs and illicit medicament seizures in this manner and magnitude, especially from Customs, NDLEA and NAFDAC has become one too many occurrences, and pose a serious cause for worry, if juxtaposed with its influence on the current battle against various trend of insecurity the nation is battling with.
At the recent handing over exercise spearheaded by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD DSM FNIPR psc (+) himself, it was disclosed that seizures of the narcotic drugs and expired medicaments worth over N53.3Billion recently were through high powered intelligence profiling intercepted from the premier Apapa Port under the watch of Comptroller EAO Oshoba, with his officers and men, in collaboration with officials of NDLEA.
In his address at the handover event which was held at the APM Terminal Section of Apapa Area Command of the NCS on Wednesday July 01st, 2026, the CGC who said he was back at the command on the discharge of customs mandate in societal protection, the CGC in quote said, “Only last week, I had the special privilege of Charing the 147th/148th
Sessions of the Council of World Customs Organisation in Brussels. Over
a period of one week, Customs Administrations from 187 members countries deliberated on the theme “ *Customs Protecting the Society through Vigilance and Commitment”.* “The Sessions also provided us the opportunity to engage with critical stakeholders like the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and INTERPOL and deepen international cooperation to advance our societal protection mandate”, the CGC said.
He however noted with gratitude that the briefing was indeed a manifestation of some of the conclusions at the Council meeting, which showcased the end product of diligent commitment to societal cause, driven and supported by collaboration between and among Agencies, within and across our national jurisdiction.
“This event comes just days after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting our borders, preserving the health of our citizens, safeguarding the future of our youth and strengthening national security through intelligence-driven border management”, the CGC further said.
He however revealed that Nine (9) seizures recorded by the Apapa Area Command followed a painstaking intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and active collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In the breakdown of the seizure, the CGC said it comprised 1x40ft container with number CAAU7569127 found to contain 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three
imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts, and another 1x40ft container with number HAMU3246311 conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 4.95 metric tones, concealed alongside two
imported vehicles and household items.
Others seizures include a 1x40ft container with number MRKU3816476 conveying
1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup (CSP) concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes; 1x40ft container with number TGBU5399178
conveying 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup (CSP) concealed inside 36 cartons of casserole products.
Similarly, a 1x40ft container with number HASU4519480 conveying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol (Timakadol); and another 1x40ft container with number MRKU4961275 conveying 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and
Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).
The seizure again includes a consignment of 1x40ft container number PCIU8771576 comprising expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules 100mg, Cynamine 12 Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections. All intercepted for regulatory action; and another 1x20ft container with number MRKU 6964435 conveying Piccan Teething Powder.
The number ninth consignment is a 1x40ft container, No. TCKU7000791, conveying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC Registration Number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028. Adeniyi noted that this particular seizure is made as a result of intelligence analysis and Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII). This particular seizure at first glance, the consignment appeared legitimate.
He however explained that, a detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant established that the product is, in fact, not registered
with NAFDAC, noting that the use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious risk to public health.
The CGC said that the consignment was consequently seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service
Act, 2023, and afterwards at the briefing handed over to NAFDAC for further
regulatory action and investigation”.
In total, the CGC put the cumulative 9 seizures Duty Paid Value to Fifty Three Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety-One Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand and Twenty-Nine Naira (₦53,391,140,029.00) only.
He however noted that the seizures represent far more than monetary value, as they represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug
abuse and unsafe medicines.
He as well informed those present at the briefing that, the importation of expired pharmaceuticals and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the sophisticated concealment methods adopted by these criminal networks demonstrate their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit purposes.
According to him, these interceptions equally demonstrate that the Nigeria Customs Service possesses the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to detect, intercept and dismantle these criminal enterprises.
At the end of the briefing the CGC in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs fell within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA was formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired pharmaceutical products were in the same manner transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
He however emphatically stated that where prohibited items were concealed alongside vehicles, automobile spare parts or other imported goods, only the
Narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceuticals were being handed over, while the remaining goods shall remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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