The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and regulatory action.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the Apapa Area Command on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures underscored the Service’s commitment to protecting society through intelligence-driven border management and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
Adeniyi explained that the operation followed painstaking intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and active collaboration with the NDLEA.
According to him, the seizures came shortly after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirming the NCS’ resolve to safeguard public health, protect Nigerian youths and strengthen national security.
The Comptroller-General disclosed that nine major seizures were recently recorded by the Apapa Area Command.
He said one of the intercepted consignments was a 40-foot container marked CAAU7569127, which contained 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud, weighing 1,819.5 kilograms. The illicit substance was concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
Another 40-foot container, numbered HAMU3246311, was found to contain 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing about 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden alongside two imported vehicles and household items.
Adeniyi further revealed that Customs operatives intercepted another container, MRKU3816476, conveying 1,700 cartons, equivalent to 170,000 bottles, of Codeine Syrup concealed with insulated casserole dishes.
Similarly, container TGBU5399178 was discovered to contain 1,698 cartons, amounting to 169,800 bottles, of Codeine Syrup hidden inside casserole products.
The Customs boss also disclosed the interception of several containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products.
According to him, container HASU4519480 contained 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol branded as Timakadol.
Another container, MRKU4961275, was found to contain 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets of the Termigral brand.
He added that another consignment in container PCIU8771576 comprised expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.
The Service also intercepted a 20-foot container, MRKU6964435, loaded with Piccan Teething Powder.
In another major breakthrough, Adeniyi said Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container numbered TCKU7000791 carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and a false expiry date of December 2028.
He explained that although the consignment initially appeared legitimate, detailed verification later confirmed that the product was not registered with NAFDAC.
“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,” he said.
Adeniyi noted that the seized narcotics and expired drugs represented more than monetary value, stressing that they symbolised lives protected, families preserved and communities secured from the dangers of drug abuse and unsafe medicines.
He stated that the sophisticated concealment methods adopted by criminal syndicates showed their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit activities, but added that the Nigeria Customs Service remained equipped with the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to counter such threats.
The Comptroller-General said narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA would be formally transferred to the anti-drug agency for further investigation and prosecution, while expired pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
He clarified that vehicles, spare parts and other goods used to conceal the prohibited items would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement procedures in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Adeniyi commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication to duty.
He also praised the sustained collaboration between the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies in strengthening Nigeria’s border security architecture.
The Customs boss reiterated the Service’s determination to intensify collaboration with relevant government agencies, the private sector and international partners to prevent criminal organisations from exploiting Nigeria’s ports and borders.
He warned smugglers and organised criminal networks that Nigeria’s ports were no longer safe havens for trafficking illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals and other prohibited goods.
According to him, the Service would continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all individuals and syndicates threatening the nation’s economy, public health and security.
