Customs Intercepts N43.59bn Contraband At Apapa Port, Seizes 7.6 Tonnes Of Cannabis, 169,998 Codeine Bottles And Drones
Customs Intercepts N43.59bn Contraband At Apapa Port, Seizes 7.6 Tonnes Of Cannabis, 169,998 Codeine Bottles And Drones
By Iroyin Yoruba Television News Desk
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted prohibited, restricted and potentially dangerous consignments with a combined Duty Paid Value of N43.59 billion at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos, in one of the latest major anti-smuggling operations at Nigeria's busiest seaport.
The seizures include more than 7.6 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup, 108 high-definition dual-camera drones, expired food and pharmaceutical products, used clothing and other restricted goods concealed inside multiple containers.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures during a briefing at the Apapa Port, where the intercepted consignments were presented before being handed over to relevant government agencies for further action.
The Customs chief said the operation demonstrated that the responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service go beyond collecting import duties and other government revenue.
According to him, the agency also has statutory responsibilities relating to border protection, supply-chain security and the protection of Nigerians from dangerous or prohibited goods entering the country.
The latest operation was carried out through what Customs described as intelligence-led cargo profiling, documentary scrutiny, risk assessment and targeted physical examination.
The agency said its improved intelligence capability, combined with cooperation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners, helped officers identify and intercept the suspicious consignments.
The scale of the seizure has raised fresh concerns about attempts by criminal networks to exploit legitimate international trade channels to move narcotics, controlled medicines, security-sensitive equipment and expired products into Nigeria.
12 Containers Intercepted At Apapa
The Customs Service said 12 containers were intercepted during the operation.
The contents fell broadly into three major categories: narcotics and controlled pharmaceuticals, security-sensitive equipment and expired goods intended for human use.
The combined Duty Paid Value of the intercepted consignments was put at N43,588,618,859.
The figure represents the assessed value of the goods for Customs purposes and gives an indication of the scale of the consignments involved.
The items were intercepted at the Apapa Area Command, which handles a substantial volume of Nigeria's maritime trade.
Because Apapa is one of the country's most important commercial gateways, the ability of smugglers to conceal prohibited goods inside legitimate-looking shipments represents a major security challenge.
Customs authorities said criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated in their methods.
Rather than importing prohibited goods openly, smugglers may attempt to conceal them among legitimate merchandise, misdeclare the contents of containers or use seemingly ordinary goods to disguise restricted items.
The latest operation demonstrates how such methods can be detected when cargo profiling and intelligence are combined with physical examination.
More Than 7.6 Tonnes Of Cannabis Seized
The largest category of narcotics intercepted during the operation was cannabis sativa.
Customs said three containers contained a combined 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624 kilogrammes.
That is more than 7.6 tonnes of cannabis.
The drugs were reportedly distributed across three containers.
One 40-foot container identified as HAMU 3086682 contained 4,777 parcels weighing 2,388.5kg.
The parcels were packed in two cartons, 48 jumbo bags and 40 drums, according to the Customs breakdown.
The same container also contained assorted automobile spare parts, coffee mix, oats and three vehicles.
Another 40-foot container, FANU 1933352, contained 8,287 parcels of cannabis weighing approximately 4,145kg.
Three vehicles were also listed among the contents of that container.
The third narcotics container, MSKU 3941778, was a 20-foot container containing 2,181 parcels weighing approximately 1,090.5kg.
It also contained foreign parboiled rice, automobile spare parts, lithium batteries, a photovoltaic combiner box, turmeric and different fish products.
The way the cannabis was reportedly mixed with other goods illustrates the challenge faced by Customs officers at major ports.
A container may contain both ordinary commercial products and prohibited materials.
Without effective risk assessment and targeted examination, suspicious consignments could potentially pass through the port system.
169,998 Bottles Of Codeine Found Under Household Goods
Another major discovery involved a 40-foot container identified as TCKU 7653306.
Customs said the container contained 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup comprising 169,998 bottles.
The controlled pharmaceutical product was allegedly concealed beneath household items.
The discovery is particularly significant because codeine-based medicines have been a longstanding concern in Nigeria due to their potential misuse and abuse.
Customs officials said the quantity involved was substantial enough to potentially supply an illicit market for a considerable period if the shipment had successfully entered circulation.
The Customs Service therefore described the interception as an important disruption to the illegal supply chain.
The seizure was subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and regulatory action.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is expected to handle the narcotics-related aspects, while NAFDAC has responsibilities relating to pharmaceutical products.
The separation of responsibilities allows each specialised agency to deal with the items falling within its mandate.
Why The Codeine Seizure Is Significant
The interception of almost 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup is significant because controlled medicines can become a serious public-health concern when they are diverted from legitimate medical use.
Codeine has legitimate medical applications when properly prescribed and regulated.
However, misuse can lead to dependence and other health problems.
The illegal distribution of controlled medicines can also expose people to products that have not been properly authorised, stored or distributed.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of substance abuse.
The Customs Service has therefore described the seizure not merely as a revenue or smuggling matter but as a public-health intervention.
If the shipment had entered the illegal market, it could potentially have been distributed through networks outside legitimate pharmaceutical channels.
That is why the collaboration between Customs and agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC is important.
Customs officers are positioned at ports where imported goods first enter the country.
Specialised drug-enforcement and regulatory agencies can then investigate the contents and pursue the relevant criminal or regulatory cases.
108 Drones Also Intercepted
The latest operation was not limited to narcotics and pharmaceuticals.
Customs officers also intercepted 108 high-definition dual-camera drones from a container identified as MSKU 9282528.
Drones are widely used for legitimate purposes.
They can be used in agriculture, photography, surveying, construction, environmental monitoring, mapping, security and other civilian activities.
However, the Customs Service said drones with particular capabilities can become security-sensitive equipment when imported without the required approvals and documentation.
The concern is not that drones are inherently illegal.
Instead, the concern is that sophisticated unmanned aerial equipment can potentially be used for surveillance, reconnaissance or other activities that may create security risks if placed in unauthorised hands.
The Customs chief therefore warned importers that restricted or security-sensitive equipment must have the appropriate approvals and end-user certificates before being cleared.
Where the required documentation is absent, Customs said such consignments will be detained.
The warning comes amid increased attention to the use of technology in criminal and security operations.
Unmanned aerial systems can provide valuable information from the air, but their misuse can create challenges for security agencies.
The Customs Service therefore considers proper regulation and documentation essential.
Customs Warns Against Security-Sensitive Imports
Adeniyi made it clear that Nigerian ports would not be allowed to become channels through which security-sensitive equipment reaches individuals or organisations operating against the country's interests.
The warning is significant because international cargo systems involve millions of legitimate items moving through ports every year.
Customs officers cannot physically examine every item with the same level of intensity.
Risk-based systems are therefore used to identify consignments that require closer attention.
This is where cargo profiling becomes important.
If a shipment's documentation, origin, declared contents, importer history or other information raises concerns, Customs can subject it to additional examination.
The objective is to concentrate resources on consignments that present higher risks while allowing legitimate trade to move more efficiently.
The Customs Service said it has been strengthening this system through technology and data analysis.
Expired Products Found In Five Containers
The operation also uncovered five containers containing expired products.
The goods reportedly included tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
The Customs Service said such products could pose serious risks to consumers.
Expired food products can deteriorate or become unsafe depending on their nature and storage conditions.
Expired pharmaceutical or medical products raise additional concerns because consumers may use them without knowing that they are no longer within their approved shelf life.
The Customs chief warned that products intended for use by children, women and other members of the public must not be allowed to enter the market after their expiration dates.
The discovery has therefore raised concerns about attempts to use Nigeria as a destination for products that may no longer be legally or safely marketable elsewhere.
Why Expired Imports Are A Public-Health Concern
The danger associated with expired products is not always immediately visible.
A consumer may purchase an item from a market or shop without knowing when it expired.
Packaging can make a product appear legitimate.
If the product is a food item, pharmaceutical or personal-care product, the consumer may assume that it is safe because it is being sold commercially.
This is why regulatory agencies place restrictions on the importation and distribution of expired goods.
The interception at Apapa prevented the seized consignments from entering the normal commercial supply chain.
NAFDAC is expected to handle the regulatory aspects of the pharmaceutical and other regulated products.
The agency can determine the appropriate legal and disposal procedures for the goods.
The operation therefore represents a preventive intervention.
Rather than waiting until unsafe products reach consumers, authorities intercepted them at the point of entry.
1,282 Bales Of Used Clothing Also Seized
The Customs operation also resulted in the seizure of 1,282 bales of used clothing.
The bales were spread across three containers.
One container contained 425 bales.
Another contained 435 bales.
The third contained 422 bales.
Used clothing is a major part of international trade in many countries, but imports are subject to Nigerian regulations and Customs requirements.
Where goods are prohibited, improperly declared or otherwise fail to meet import requirements, Customs has the authority to intercept them.
The inclusion of the used clothing in the latest operation demonstrates that the enforcement exercise covered a wide range of cargo categories.
It was not focused exclusively on drugs.
Smugglers Using Legitimate Goods As Cover
One of the most important aspects of the latest operation is the method allegedly used to conceal some of the prohibited items.
The Customs Service said criminal networks increasingly place illicit goods inside legitimate-looking consignments.
Narcotics may be concealed among vehicle parts or other commercial items.
Controlled medicines may be hidden underneath household products.
Restricted equipment may be declared as ordinary electronics.
This creates challenges for customs authorities because a container's declared contents may not always accurately represent what is physically inside.
Intelligence and risk assessment can therefore play an important role.
Customs officers can compare declarations with other information to determine whether a shipment requires additional examination.
The B'Odogwu platform is one of the technologies being used by the service to support trade-data analysis and risk assessment.
B'Odogwu Platform Used In Risk Assessment
The Customs chief said the service has deployed the B'Odogwu platform to bring trade data into its risk-assessment process.
The purpose is to improve the ability of officers to identify suspicious transactions and consignments.
Modern customs administrations increasingly depend on data.
Information concerning importers, commodities, countries of origin, shipping routes, previous declarations and other factors can help authorities identify patterns.
When combined with intelligence from other agencies, such systems can make inspections more targeted.
The aim is not to inspect every container in the same way.
Instead, the authorities want to identify the shipments that present the greatest potential risks.
The latest Apapa operation is being presented as an example of that intelligence-led approach.
Nigeria Gains Access To More International Security Databases
Adeniyi also disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service established an INTERPOL Data Centre in Abuja in July 2026.
According to the Customs chief, the centre gives Nigerian officers access to more than 152 international databases.
This development could strengthen the ability of Customs to identify suspicious persons, cargo movements and other international security information.
International trade is inherently cross-border.
A container arriving in Lagos may have originated in one country, been shipped through another port and involve companies or individuals in several jurisdictions.
Access to international information can therefore help Nigerian authorities identify links that might not be visible from domestic records alone.
The Customs Service said the centre is the eighth such facility on the African continent.
The agency has also strengthened cooperation with international security partners.
Collaboration With NDLEA And NAFDAC
The latest seizures demonstrate the importance of inter-agency cooperation.
Customs officers are often the first government personnel to identify suspicious cargo at a port.
However, they may require the expertise of other agencies to investigate the contents.
For narcotics, the NDLEA has specialised investigative and enforcement responsibilities.
For pharmaceuticals and regulated products, NAFDAC has specialised regulatory responsibilities.
The Office of the National Security Adviser is relevant where cargo has potential national-security implications.
International security partners can provide intelligence concerning shipments and individuals operating across borders.
The combination of these capabilities can make enforcement more effective.
The Customs Service said the cannabis seizures were supported by intelligence from international security partners and cooperation with the NDLEA.
The drugs were then handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Customs Says Its Role Is More Than Revenue Collection
The latest operation also highlights the broader responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Customs is widely associated with import duties and government revenue.
However, its responsibilities also include enforcing restrictions on goods entering the country and protecting the integrity of Nigeria's borders.
The Customs Service Act provides a wider framework for these responsibilities.
A port is not simply a commercial facility.
It is also a national-security gateway.
Millions of tonnes of goods enter Nigeria through seaports, airports and land borders.
The government must therefore ensure that legitimate trade is facilitated while prohibited goods are prevented from entering the country.
That balance is central to modern customs administration.
The Economic Importance Of Legitimate Trade
While announcing the seizures, Customs also reassured legitimate traders that its objective was not to obstruct lawful commerce.
The service said it would continue to facilitate the movement of compliant goods.
This distinction is important because delays at major ports can have significant economic consequences.
Businesses depend on predictable clearance procedures.
Manufacturers need raw materials.
Retailers need merchandise.
Construction companies need equipment.
Agricultural businesses need machinery and inputs.
If legitimate consignments are delayed unnecessarily, businesses can face higher costs.
Customs therefore seeks to use risk-based methods that allow low-risk cargo to move more efficiently while focusing attention on suspicious shipments.
The latest operation was presented as an example of this approach.
Customs Warns Importers About False Declaration
Adeniyi warned importers against several practices, including false declaration, concealment, undervaluation and the importation of prohibited goods.
False declaration occurs when the information provided about a shipment does not accurately represent its contents.
Concealment involves hiding prohibited or restricted goods inside other consignments.
Undervaluation involves declaring goods at a value lower than their actual value for customs purposes.
All these practices can undermine the integrity of the trade system.
The Customs chief said no port, border station or logistics channel would be allowed to become a safe haven for prohibited imports.
The warning applies not only to major smuggling networks but also to individuals and companies that may attempt to exploit weaknesses in the system.
Importers Encouraged To Use Advance Ruling
The Customs Service also encouraged importers who are uncertain about the classification, valuation or origin of their goods to use its Advance Ruling mechanism.
Such mechanisms can help businesses obtain Customs guidance before goods are shipped.
This can reduce uncertainty and help importers understand how their goods will be treated under applicable rules.
For legitimate businesses, early clarification can be preferable to discovering compliance problems after a shipment arrives.
The Customs Service also encouraged companies with strong compliance records to consider joining the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
The programme is designed to provide benefits to trusted traders where risk assessment supports more predictable clearance.
The broader message from Customs is that compliance can provide commercial advantages.
“Compliance Is Not An Obstacle To Business”
Adeniyi emphasised the importance of compliance, saying it should not be viewed as an obstacle to business.
Instead, he argued that compliance gives legitimate traders an advantage over competitors who attempt to evade regulations.
This position reflects the Customs Service's attempt to distinguish between legitimate businesses and operators involved in illicit trade.
A company that consistently complies with regulations can potentially benefit from greater predictability.
An importer involved in repeated false declarations or prohibited imports, on the other hand, may attract greater scrutiny.
This risk-based approach is intended to make the customs system more efficient while strengthening enforcement.
What Happens To The Seized Goods?
The intercepted goods have different regulatory and legal implications.
The narcotics are expected to remain under the control of the relevant drug-enforcement authorities for investigation and other legal procedures.
The pharmaceutical and regulated products have been handed over to NAFDAC for appropriate action.
Security-sensitive equipment such as the drones will be subject to further investigation concerning their importation, documentation and intended use.
Expired goods will also require appropriate regulatory handling and disposal.
The process is important because seized goods cannot simply be returned to the normal market.
Authorities must establish what happens to them according to the applicable laws and procedures.
Where criminal offences are established, suspects can face prosecution.
Investigation Into The Importers And Consignments
The seizure itself is only one part of the enforcement process.
Authorities will also need to establish who imported the consignments, who financed them, who declared them and who was intended to receive them.
Where false declarations or other offences are suspected, investigators may examine shipping documents, company records, financial transactions and communications.
They may also investigate whether other people were involved in arranging the shipments.
The objective is to identify the networks behind the goods rather than simply seize the cargo.
If a container is intercepted but the people responsible for importing it continue operating, the underlying problem remains.
This is why intelligence-led investigations are important.
Potential Impact On Drug Trafficking Networks
The interception of more than 7.6 tonnes of cannabis represents a substantial disruption to any trafficking network connected to the consignments.
Similarly, intercepting almost 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup could prevent a large quantity of controlled pharmaceutical products from reaching unauthorised distribution channels.
However, authorities will need to determine the intended destinations and the people behind the shipments.
The investigation could potentially reveal additional information about the wider supply chain.
Such information may help authorities identify suppliers, financiers, distributors or other participants.
National Security Concerns Around Drones
The seizure of 108 high-definition drones adds another dimension to the operation.
The Customs Service's concern is based on the potential use of sophisticated drones for surveillance, reconnaissance or delivery.
Nigeria's security environment means that authorities are increasingly sensitive to equipment that can provide aerial intelligence or be adapted for other purposes.
The Customs chief did not say that the seized drones were intended for criminal use.
Instead, he stressed that such equipment requires appropriate approvals and documentation.
That distinction is important.
Drones have many legitimate civilian uses.
The issue is whether imported equipment meets Nigeria's regulatory and security requirements.
Where required documentation is missing, authorities have a responsibility to investigate before allowing the equipment into circulation.
Apapa Remains A Major Security Gateway
The latest operation also highlights the strategic importance of Apapa Port.
As one of Nigeria's most important maritime gateways, Apapa handles huge volumes of legitimate international trade.
That makes the port economically important but also potentially attractive to criminal networks seeking to move prohibited goods.
Effective security at the port is therefore essential.
Customs officers must balance speed and security.
Too little inspection could allow dangerous goods to enter the country.
Too much indiscriminate inspection could slow legitimate commerce.
Risk-based intelligence systems provide one way of managing that balance.
The Human Cost Of Illicit Imports
The value of the seized goods is large, but the potential human consequences are more important.
Drugs can cause addiction and health problems.
Expired medicines can harm consumers.
Unsafe products can expose families to risks they cannot easily identify.
Security-sensitive equipment can potentially be misused.
This is why Customs described the operation as part of its responsibility to protect Nigerians.
The agency's role is therefore not limited to calculating import duties.
It also has a role in preventing harmful goods from reaching the public.
What The Seizure Means For Consumers
For ordinary Nigerians, the seizure is a reminder to be cautious about products purchased in informal markets and other uncontrolled channels.
Consumers may not always know whether medicines are genuine, authorised or within their expiry dates.
The existence of large-scale attempts to import controlled and expired products reinforces the importance of purchasing regulated products through legitimate channels.
Consumers should also pay attention to packaging, expiry dates and other product information.
Where a product appears suspicious, regulatory authorities can provide channels for reporting concerns.
Customs Faces Continuing Smuggling Challenges
Despite the scale of the latest seizure, authorities recognise that smuggling is a continuing challenge.
Criminal networks adapt.
When one method becomes difficult, smugglers may try another.
When one port becomes more heavily monitored, they may attempt to use another route.
This means enforcement agencies must continually improve their intelligence, technology and cooperation.
The Customs Service's use of cargo profiling, the B'Odogwu platform and international data access forms part of that ongoing response.
The agency also needs trained officers capable of identifying suspicious patterns and resisting corruption.
The Role Of Customs Officers
Customs officers operating at ports face considerable pressure.
They must process large volumes of cargo while remaining alert to potential violations.
The Apapa Command's officers were commended by the Customs leadership for their vigilance and professionalism.
Maintaining integrity is especially important in an environment where criminal networks may have financial incentives to bypass controls.
A strong customs system therefore requires both technology and human integrity.
Even the most advanced cargo system will not work effectively if officials deliberately ignore suspicious consignments.
The Customs leadership has therefore continued to emphasise professionalism, discipline and accountability.
Apapa Command Promises Continued Enforcement
The Comptroller of the Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, reaffirmed the command's commitment to professionalism, discipline and diligence.
He also emphasised the importance of cooperation with sister agencies.
The latest seizure involved multiple government institutions, demonstrating that no single agency can independently address every aspect of illicit maritime trade.
The Apapa Command has said it will continue supporting legitimate commerce while strengthening efforts against criminal networks.
A Major Warning To Smugglers
The N43.59 billion seizure sends a strong warning to smugglers attempting to use Nigerian ports to move prohibited goods.
The Customs Service has demonstrated that suspicious cargo can be identified even when prohibited items are concealed among ordinary products.
The interception of cannabis inside consignments containing vehicles and spare parts, codeine beneath household goods and drones without appropriate documentation shows the variety of concealment methods authorities are encountering.
The message from Customs is that such methods will not be accepted.
What Comes Next
The next stage will involve further investigations and the transfer of the seized goods to the relevant agencies.
NDLEA will deal with the narcotics-related aspects.
NAFDAC will handle regulated pharmaceutical and other relevant products.
Security agencies will assess the circumstances surrounding the drones.
Customs will continue investigating the import documentation and circumstances surrounding the consignments.
Where sufficient evidence exists, suspects connected to the shipments could face prosecution.
The investigation may also reveal whether the seizures are connected to wider networks operating through Nigerian ports or international supply chains.
Conclusion
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted prohibited and restricted consignments with a combined Duty Paid Value of N43.59 billion at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos.
The haul includes 7,624kg of cannabis sativa, 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup, 108 high-definition dual-camera drones, 1,282 bales of used clothing and several containers of expired food, pharmaceutical and household products.
The scale of the seizure makes it one of the most significant recent anti-smuggling operations reported at Apapa Port.
Three containers contained more than 7.6 tonnes of cannabis, while another contained almost 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup concealed beneath household goods.
The authorities also intercepted drones that Customs classified as security-sensitive because they were imported without the required approvals and documentation.
Five containers were found to contain expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
Customs said the products could pose risks to consumers if allowed into the Nigerian market.
The agency attributed the success of the operation to intelligence-led cargo profiling, documentary checks, risk assessment, targeted examination and cooperation with other security and regulatory agencies.
The Customs Service has also strengthened its use of technology and international intelligence, including the B'Odogwu trade-data platform and an INTERPOL Data Centre established in Abuja.
According to the agency, the centre gives Nigerian officers access to more than 152 international databases.
The development illustrates how modern customs enforcement increasingly depends on information and intelligence rather than physical inspection alone.
Criminal networks may attempt to exploit legitimate international trade by concealing prohibited goods among ordinary merchandise.
That makes cargo profiling and intelligence sharing particularly important.
The latest seizure also demonstrates why cooperation between Customs, NDLEA, NAFDAC, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international partners remains important.
Each agency brings different expertise to the investigation.
The ultimate objective is not merely to seize containers.
Authorities must identify the people and networks responsible for importing the goods, determine how the consignments were financed and establish their intended destinations.
Where criminal offences are established, suspects can face prosecution.
For consumers, the operation is also a reminder of the importance of obtaining medicines, food products and other regulated goods through legitimate channels.
Expired or improperly imported products may not always be easily identified by consumers.
Preventing such goods from reaching markets is therefore an important part of public protection.
For legitimate importers, the Customs Service has said compliance will remain the best way to avoid unnecessary delays and enforcement action.
The agency has encouraged businesses to use its Advance Ruling mechanism where they are uncertain about classification, valuation or origin and has also promoted the Authorised Economic Operator programme for compliant traders.
At the same time, the Customs leadership has warned that Nigerian ports will not be allowed to become safe corridors for prohibited goods.
The latest N43.59 billion seizure therefore represents more than a large collection of intercepted cargo.
It is a demonstration of the continuing battle over control of Nigeria's international trade gateways.
For Customs, the challenge is to maintain a balance between facilitating legitimate commerce and preventing dangerous or illegal goods from entering the country.
For smugglers, the latest operation is another warning that concealment, false declaration and other attempts to evade border controls are increasingly likely to attract scrutiny.
And for Nigerians, the seizure provides evidence that efforts are continuing to prevent narcotics, controlled medicines, expired products and unauthorised security equipment from reaching the wider market.
The investigation into the seized consignments is expected to continue, and further action may follow as the relevant agencies examine the goods and trace those responsible for their importation.
Iroyin Yoruba Television will continue to monitor the investigation and report any arrests, prosecutions, regulatory actions or further revelations connected with the Apapa Port seizures.