Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted 13 containers carrying expired drugs, food items, and restricted security equipment valued at N6.38 billion at Apapa Port, Lagos, in a major crackdown on illicit imports.
The seizure was announced on Tuesday by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during a press briefing held at APM Terminals, Apapa. Adeniyi said the operation resulted from intensified intelligence-led enforcement, deployment of advanced scanning technology, and targeted physical inspection of suspicious consignments.
The intercepted items, he noted, included expired pharmaceutical products such as Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections, and diclofenac tablets. Officers also uncovered large consignments of Hyegra 200, Sildenafil Citrate, and 800 cartons of codeine cleverly concealed in toilet cisterns and sanitary ware.
Other prohibited items seized included cartons of Artesunate injections, and restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies, and tactical torches. Containers of expired food items were also discovered, including muffin cookie biscuits, 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks, and containers of St. Kelvin and De Truth tomato paste.
Adeniyi further revealed sophisticated smuggling methods:
One container carried 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup hidden among luxury food flasks.
Another container held 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed among electric kettles.
13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 347.57 kilograms, were also intercepted inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
He stressed the public health risks posed by expired drugs and controlled substances, noting that the concealment of codeine-based products is a deliberate attempt to fuel substance abuse and undermine Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi warned, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.
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The Customs boss explained that physical examination remains central to cargo control, but the service plans to expand non-intrusive scanning technology across major entry points, including Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar, by the end of 2026. This move aims to enhance enforcement accuracy, reduce port congestion, and support legitimate trade.
Adeniyi urged traders to comply fully with regulations and participate in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which offers predictable clearance procedures and faster cargo facilitation.
He noted that the seized consignments are liable to forfeiture under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, with penalties and prosecution for those linked to the shipments. While reiterating that the service would continue facilitating legitimate trade, he affirmed that enforcement actions target criminal networks, not compliant business
“As compliance improves, customs will rely more on technology-driven inspection rather than time-consuming physical examinations,” Adeniyi concluded.