APAPA CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS N53.39 BILLION WORTH OF DRUGS AND EXPIRED MEDICINES

APAPA CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS N53.39 BILLION WORTH OF DRUGS AND EXPIRED MEDICINES
Adeniyi Says Smugglers Can No Longer Hide Behind Port Operations
By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized nine containers of illicit narcotics and expired drugs at Apapa Port with a Duty Paid Value put at N53.39 billion. The Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, said the operation shows that ports are now under stricter surveillance and are no longer easy entry points for illegal trade.

Adeniyi spoke at the Apapa Area Command on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, during the formal handover of the seized consignments. He explained that the operation was driven by intelligence, advanced scanning, physical inspection and collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The announcement came shortly after the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It also followed Adeniyi’s leadership of the 147th and 148th sessions of the World Customs Organisation Council in Brussels, where 187 countries agreed on the theme “Customs Protecting the Society through Vigilance and Commitment.” He said the Apapa case reflects how those resolutions are being implemented locally.

What was recovered

Customs officers found two containers filled with Cannabis Sativa, commonly called Canadian Loud. Container CAAU7569127 carried 3,639 parcels weighing 1,819.5kg, packed with three vehicles and spare parts. Container HAMU3246311 had 9,918 sachets weighing about 4.95 tonnes, hidden with two vehicles and household goods.

Two other containers held large stocks of Codeine Syrup. MRKU3816476 contained 1,700 cartons, equivalent to 170,000 bottles, concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes. TGBU5399178 carried 1,698 cartons, or 169,800 bottles, hidden inside 36 cartons of similar kitchenware.

Expired and unregistered medicines were also discovered. Container HASU4519480 had 1,300 cartons, including Tramadol sold as Timakadol. MRKU4961275 held 1,269 cartons of Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets branded Termigral. PCIU8771576 carried Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections that had all expired.

In addition, a 20ft container, MRKU6964435, contained Piccan Teething Powder, while a 40ft container, TCKU7000791, held 1,100 packs of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules. The CHACOLD packs carried a forged NAFDAC number, 04-6646, and a fake expiry date of December 2028. Adeniyi said non-intrusive inspection and document checks showed the product was not registered with NAFDAC. He described it as a calculated effort to bring unapproved drugs into the country. The consignment was taken under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and will be handed over to NAFDAC.

Why the interceptions matter

Adeniyi said the monetary value of N53,391,140,029.00 does not capture the full impact. He said the seizures have kept harmful substances away from streets, protected families, and reduced exposure of young people to dangerous drugs and unsafe medicines.

He linked the trend to wider risks for health, security and the economy. Expired pharmaceuticals and controlled drugs, he said, threaten public health, while the concealment tactics show that smuggling syndicates are trying to abuse legitimate trade routes. At the same time, he noted that the success of the operation confirms that Customs now has improved intelligence, technology and field capacity to detect and stop such activities.

Legal process and next steps for seized items

Adeniyi explained how the consignments will be handled under existing laws. Narcotic substances that fall within NDLEA’s mandate will be transferred to the agency for further investigation and prosecution. Expired or unregistered medicines will be moved to NAFDAC for regulatory action and proper disposal.

For containers where drugs were hidden inside vehicles, spare parts or household items, only the pharmaceutical and narcotic contents will go to the relevant agencies. The other goods will remain with Customs. He said they will be processed for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement measures provided under the law.

Collaboration and enforcement strategy at the ports

The Comptroller-General praised the Apapa Area Command for what he called diligence, alertness and consistent commitment to duty. He also acknowledged the role of NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security partners in the operation.

He said Customs intends to strengthen joint work with government bodies, private operators and international allies to close loopholes that criminals use to exploit port systems.

He sent a direct message to smugglers. According to him, the Apapa operation shows that Nigerian ports are no longer easy channels for moving illicit drugs, expired medicines or other banned items. He pointed to technology, intelligence sharing, coordinated border controls and improved officer capacity as the reasons the gaps syndicates once used are narrowing.

What it means for trade and business

The seizure signals increased scrutiny at Apapa, which handles the highest cargo volume in the country. Importers of pharmaceuticals, auto parts and household goods should expect more detailed documentation checks and non-intrusive inspections.

While compliance costs may go up, the risks of violations will rise as well. Under the NCS Act 2023, goods used to conceal contraband can be forfeited, not just the illegal items themselves.

For genuine drug makers and licensed distributors, the removal of fake and expired products helps protect market reputation and consumer confidence. For logistics and clearing agents, the focus on intelligence-led checks means accurate declarations and valid NAFDAC approvals will be treated as basic requirements.

Adeniyi concluded by reaffirming the Service’s role. He said Customs will continue to detect, expose and pursue prosecution of activities that endanger the economy and public health, while still enabling lawful trade.

“We are committed to securing our borders, safeguarding public health and protecting the country’s future,” he stated.

With nine containers taken off the market and stronger inter-agency coordination in place, Customs is relying on greater visibility, better technology and partnerships to make smuggling through Nigerian ports a higher-risk venture.