Susan Abayomi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 13 containers containing cannabis, codeine syrup, expired products and other restricted items with a combined duty-paid value of about ₦43.6 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a briefing on the seizures, attributing the interceptions to sustained intelligence-led operations, cargo profiling and enhanced risk assessment by the Service.
According to Adeniyi, the seized consignments included 7,624 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 high-definition dual-camera drones.
Customs also intercepted three containers containing 1,282 bales of used clothing, while five additional containers were found to contain expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
Adeniyi said the illicit consignments were concealed in legitimate-looking shipments, highlighting the increasing sophistication of smuggling networks operating through the nation’s ports.
He explained that narcotics were concealed among automobile spare parts and used vehicles, while controlled drugs were hidden beneath household items and restricted equipment was declared as ordinary electronics.
The Customs boss said the Service had strengthened its cargo profiling and risk-assessment systems and deployed the B’Odogwu platform to integrate trade data and improve enforcement operations.
He added that collaboration with agencies including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners had contributed to the successful interceptions.
Adeniyi disclosed that the three containers containing cannabis held 15,245 parcels weighing more than 7.5 tonnes in total.
He also said a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup, equivalent to 169,998 bottles, was discovered concealed beneath household items.
The Customs chief warned that the abuse of controlled substances remained a serious national concern, particularly because of its impact on young people and communities.
He further raised concerns over the security implications of importing restricted equipment without the necessary approvals and documentation, stressing that such consignments would be detained.
On the expired products, Adeniyi warned that their entry into the Nigerian market could expose consumers to serious health risks, particularly because many of the affected products were intended for household consumption or use.
The seized narcotics and controlled pharmaceutical products were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC respectively for further regulatory and enforcement action.
Adeniyi assured legitimate traders that the intensified enforcement activities would not obstruct lawful commerce, stressing that the Customs Service remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade while preventing prohibited goods from entering the country.
He urged importers and other stakeholders to comply with relevant regulations and make use of Customs compliance mechanisms to avoid delays and enforcement actions.
