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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized contraband valued at N6.38 billion at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos, including expired pharmaceuticals, codeine cough syrup, cannabis and restricted security equipment.
Speaking at a press briefing at APM Terminals Apapa in Lagos on Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, said the seizures involved 13 containers uncovered through intelligence-led operations supported by cargo scanning and targeted physical inspections.
Adeniyi disclosed that officers flagged suspicious cargo profiles during routine scanning, prompting detailed examinations that exposed several falsely declared consignments.
Among the seizures was a 40-foot container of expired drugs, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections and diclofenac tablets.
Customs also intercepted two containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.
In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine was found concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
Officers also uncovered a container with restricted security equipment; bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches, imported without the required End User Certificate.
Further seizures included expired food items such as muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of energy drinks, and large quantities of tomato paste.
Another 40-foot container held 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks, while 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine were hidden with electric kettles alongside Co-codamol tablets.
Customs also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis sativa weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna.
Adeniyi described the interceptions as a major breakthrough in the Service’s crackdown on illicit trade. He warned that expired drugs and controlled substances endanger public health, while codeine smuggling fuels substance abuse.
He added that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 the seized items are liable to forfeiture, with investigations ongoing to prosecute those involved.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi said, assuring compliant traders that enforcement targets illegal imports.
