Customs intercepts N12.7bn expired drugs, 1.8 tonnes of cannabis at Apapa Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of expired pharmaceutical products valued at more than N12.7 billion and approximately 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa in separate intelligence-led operations in Lagos.

The seizures, according to the Command, were made possible through coordinated efforts involving sister security and regulatory agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as part of ongoing measures to prevent dangerous and prohibited items from entering the Nigerian market.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Isah Sulaiman, who attributed the success to enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and improved risk management systems.

According to the statement, Customs operatives acted on credible intelligence and conducted targeted operations that led to the interception of the illicit consignments before they could be distributed across the country.

One of the most significant seizures involved a 40-foot container bearing number CAAU7569127, which was discovered to contain a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa, commonly referred to as “Canadian Loud.”

Customs officials disclosed that a total of 3,639 sachets of the banned substance were recovered from the container. Each sachet weighed approximately 500 grams, bringing the total weight of the seized drugs to about 1,819 kilograms, equivalent to 1.81 tonnes.

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Preliminary field examinations confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa. Investigations revealed that the narcotics had been carefully concealed inside a black Toyota Nissan vehicle, a Toyota Sienna vehicle, as well as in bags and drums packed within the container in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

In a separate operation, the Command intercepted two additional 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products allegedly intended for illegal relabelling and reintroduction into the Nigerian market.

The NCS described the attempted importation of the expired medicines as a serious threat to public health and an act of economic sabotage capable of endangering the lives of unsuspecting consumers.

According to Customs, the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceutical products was estimated at ₦12,784,479,341.72.

Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, warned individuals and groups involved in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of prohibited goods to desist from such activities.

He described those behind such illegal operations as enemies of national development, stressing that the Service possesses the intelligence capabilities, technological tools and operational capacity required to identify, track and apprehend offenders.

Oshoba stated that anyone contemplating engaging in smuggling or importing harmful products into the country should abandon such plans, warning that the consequences would be swift and severe.

The Comptroller further assured stakeholders that Apapa Port and all Customs-controlled facilities remain under constant surveillance, adding that enforcement activities would continue to be intelligence-driven while ensuring that legitimate trade and business operations are not disrupted.

The latest seizures underscore the intensified efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to combat drug trafficking, protect public health and safeguard the nation’s economy from illicit trade and criminal activities.