Crime, News

Customs Bust ₦6.38bn Smuggling Ring at Apapa Port, Seize Expired Drugs, Codeine, Security Gear

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 11th, 2026.

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 13 containers loaded with prohibited, expired, and restricted items valued at approximately ₦6.38 billion at the busy Apapa Port following a series of intensified enforcement operations.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the development during a press briefing on Tuesday at APM Terminals Apapa in Lagos. He explained that the seizures were the result of intelligence-led investigations, advanced cargo scanning, and detailed physical inspections carried out by officers of the Apapa Area Command.

According to Adeniyi, the operation uncovered large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip cold caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections and diclofenac tablets.

Customs officials also discovered consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate, as well as 800 cartons of codeine syrup cleverly concealed inside toilet cisterns and sanitary ware to evade detection.

Further examination of the containers revealed additional cartons of Artesunate injections alongside restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, protective helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches, which require special authorisation before importation.

In addition to the pharmaceutical products, officers also uncovered containers loaded with expired food items. Among them were muffin cookie biscuits, 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks, and several cartons of tomato paste branded St. Kelvin and De Truth.

Adeniyi revealed that another container contained 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup hidden among luxury food flasks, while a separate shipment held 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine, concealed inside packages of electric kettles.

The operation also led to the discovery of 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing about 347.57 kilograms, which were hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

The Customs chief said the total value of the seized items is estimated at ₦6,381,237,988, describing the illegal importation of expired medicines and controlled substances as a serious risk to public health and safety.

“The importation of expired pharmaceuticals and controlled drugs poses a major threat to public health,” Adeniyi said, noting that the deliberate concealment of codeine-based products suggests attempts to fuel substance abuse.

He warned that Nigerian seaports will no longer serve as entry points for illicit goods disguised as legitimate imports.

“Apapa Port is no longer a safe haven for smugglers hiding behind falsified documentation,” he said.

Adeniyi also highlighted the need for improved cargo scanning infrastructure at the nation’s ports, noting that many inspections currently rely heavily on manual examination. He disclosed that the Customs Service plans to expand non-intrusive cargo scanning systems across major ports before the end of 2026.

Ports expected to benefit from the upgrade include Tin Can Island Port, Port Harcourt Port, Onne Port and Calabar Port.

He explained that expanded scanning technology would strengthen enforcement capacity, reduce port congestion, and make it easier for legitimate traders to move goods through Nigerian ports.

The Comptroller-General urged importers and clearing agents to comply fully with import regulations and participate in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which allows trusted businesses to benefit from faster cargo processing.

He added that the seized consignments are liable to forfeiture under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while individuals linked to the shipments could face prosecution.

Adeniyi reassured compliant traders that the enforcement actions are aimed strictly at dismantling criminal networks attempting to exploit the nation’s ports rather than targeting legitimate business operations.