Apapa Area Command Intercepts 9 Containers Of Illicit Goods Worth N53.39bn
By Asuquo Nuwak
Apapa Area Command Intercepts 9 Containers Of Illicit Goods Worth N53.39bn
In line with the policy thrust of the CGC, which centers on collaboration, consolidation and innovation, the Apapa Area command, following painstaking intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and active collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has seized various items ranging from a 1×40ft 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.
The breakdown of the seizures include 1×40ft container with number HAMU3246311 conveying 9, 918 Sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 4, 95 metric tones, concealed alongside two imported vehicles and household items; 1×40ft container with number MRKU 3816476 conveying 1, 700 cartons (170, 000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (CSP) concealed with 38 cartons insulated casserole dishes; and
1×40ft container with TGBU 5399178 conveying 1, 698 cartons (169, 800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup (CSP) concealed inside 36 cartons of casserole products.
Further breakdown of the seized items include 1×40ft container with number HASU4519480 conveying 1, 300 cartons of expired pharmaceuticals products, including Tramadol (Timakadol); 1×40ft container with MRKU4961275 conveying 1, 269 cartons of expired pharmaceuticals products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazephine tablets (Termigral brand ); another consignment in a 1×40ft container with number PCIU8771576 comprising expired pharmaceuticals products, including cloxicillin capsules 100mg, Cynamine12 vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections, and 1×20ft container with number MRKU6964435 conveying Piccan Teething Powder, were all intercepted for regulatory action.
Additional breakdown of seized items include 1×40ft container with number TCKU7000791, conveying 1, 100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Malea Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC Registration Number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028.
Official report from Customs said the seizures were made as a result of intelligence analysis and Non-Intrusive Inspection (N11). According to official report, the consignment at first glance appeared legitimate, but a detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant established that the product was, in fact not registered with NAFDAC.
Further report said 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.
Consequently, the consignment was seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and will be handed over to NAFDAC for further regulatory action and investigation .
Cumulatively, these nine seizures have a Duty Paid Value of N53, 391, 140, 029 . 00 billion.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, dsm, fnipr psc(+), who announced this in a speech during the handover of seized narcotics drugs and expired pharmaceuticals held in Apapa Area Command recently, also said the press briefing is indeed a manifestation of some of the conclusions they had at the council meeting of World Customs Organization in Brussels.
He recalled the special privilege he had in chairing the 147th/148th Sessions of the Council of World Customs Organization in Brussels for a period of one week where Customs Administrations from 187 members countries deliberated on the theme: “Customs Protecting the Society through Vigilance and commitment “.
Additionally, he said sessions also provided the opportunity to engage with stakeholders like the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) and Interpol and deepen international cooperation to advance societal protection mandate.
Significantly, he said the 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 the borders, preserving the health of citizens, safeguarding the future of the youth, and strengthening national security through intelligence-driven border management.
CGC Adeniyi who said these seizures represent far more than monetary value, also said they represent protection of lives, preservation of families, secured communities and countless young Nigerians to shield from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines.
Beyond all these, he said the importation of expired pharmaceutical and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the sophisticated concealment method adopted by these criminal networks demonstrate their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit purposes.
Accordingly, he said however that these interceptions equally demonstrate that the Nigeria Customs Service possesses the intelligence capability, technological capability and operational readiness to detect, intercept, and dismantle these criminal enterprises.
Still, he said in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotics drugs fall within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA, which will be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
Similarly, he pointed out that the expired products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal. It is important to state that prohibited items concealed alongside vehicles, automobile spare part or other imported goods shall remain in the custody of Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law. while only the narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceuticals will be handed over to the appropriate authority.
Indeed, the CGC Adeniyi commended the officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance, unwavering dedication to duty. He equally appreciated the sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and other security agencies whose partnership continue to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture.
Besides, he said the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deepen collaboration with all relevant agencies, private sector, and international partners to deny criminal organizations the opportunity to exploit Nigeria’s ports and borders.
The CGC is quoted as saying that: “Our resolve is unwavering, every intelligence lead will be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated and every offender brought to justice in accordance with the law. We remain committed to building a secure trading environment that protect the economy, safeguards public health and reinforces national security”.
He send a clear and unmistakable message to those who seek to use the ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe heavens for smugglers or organized criminal networks.
He noted that through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of the officers, the Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by criminal syndicates.
The CGC is again quoted as saying that: “We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health, or undermine the security of our nation. Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country”.
About The Author
