Apapa Drug Bust: NCS Intercepts 4.95 Tonnes of Cannabis, Thousands of Codeine Bottles

Victoria Silvanus

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following a series of major seizures at the Apapa Port.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Apapa Area Command on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures reflected the Service’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from the dangers of illicit drugs and unsafe medicines.

According to him, the seizures were made through intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and collaboration with the NDLEA.

The intercepted consignments comprised two containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa concealed alongside imported vehicles and household items, two containers carrying Codeine Syrup hidden among casserole products, and several containers containing expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxacillin capsules and Vitamin B12 injections.

Customs officers also intercepted a container carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number.

Adeniyi disclosed that investigations revealed that the product was not registered with NAFDAC despite the documentation presented by the importer.

“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.

The Comptroller-General noted that the operation came shortly after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, underscoring the Service’s resolve to safeguard public health and national security.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he stated.

He described the importation of expired pharmaceuticals and controlled substances as a direct threat to public health, warning that criminal networks were increasingly using sophisticated concealment methods to infiltrate legitimate trade channels.

“The sophisticated concealment methods adopted by these criminal networks demonstrate their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit purposes. 

However, 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,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss explained that the narcotic drugs would be transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.

He clarified that vehicles, automobile 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 law.

The Compt General commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command, as well as partner agencies, for their professionalism and dedication.

“I equally appreciate the sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, the NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies whose partnership continues to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture,” he said.

Reaffirming the Service’s determination to combat smuggling and illicit trade, the Comptroller-General warned criminal elements against using Nigerian ports for unlawful activities.

“To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks,” he said.

He added: “Through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of our officers, the Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by criminal syndicates.”

Adeniyi assured Nigerians that the Service would continue to work with relevant agencies to protect public health, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen national security.

“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation,” he said.