APAPA CUSTOMS UNCOVERS N43.5BN CONTRABAND HAUL – 7.6 tonnes of cannabis, 169,998 bottles of codeine, 108 drones intercepted
By Frontline Reporters
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted prohibited goods and contraband with a combined value of more than N43.5 billion, in a major crackdown that exposed attempts by criminal networks to exploit legitimate cargo channels. The seizures included 7.6 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 169,998 bottles of codeine-based syrup, 108 high-definition drones, expired pharmaceutical products and 1,282 bales of used clothing.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, who disclosed the seizures while briefing journalists at the Apapa Command, said the operation was driven by intelligence, cargo profiling, documentary scrutiny and targeted examination. He warned that smugglers were increasingly concealing dangerous consignments inside seemingly legitimate cargo, including automobile spare parts, vehicles and household goods. According to him, the NCS is leveraging the B’Odogwu platform and an INTERPOL Data Centre with access to more than 152 international databases to identify and disrupt high-risk shipments.
The largest haul involved 15,245 parcels of cannabis weighing 7,624kg, intercepted in three containers. The narcotics were cleverly concealed among automobile spare parts, vehicles, coffee mix, oats, rice, lithium batteries, turmeric and fish products. Customs also intercepted a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine-based syrup—169,998 bottles—hidden beneath household items. Adeniyi said the interceptions were strengthened by intelligence-sharing and collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and international security partners.
The Command also seized 108 dual-camera drones in another container, raising fresh concerns over the potential misuse of security-sensitive technology for surveillance and reconnaissance by criminal elements. Five containers carrying expired products—including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies—were equally intercepted, alongside 1,282 bales of used clothing. Adeniyi described the importation of expired goods as particularly disturbing because of the danger they pose to unsuspecting consumers, especially women and children.
Adeniyi declared that Nigerian ports would not be allowed to become gateways for narcotics, dangerous pharmaceuticals, security-sensitive equipment or other prohibited goods. He, however, assured legitimate traders that enforcement would remain intelligence-led, allowing compliant cargo to move with minimal disruption. He commended Customs officers, the NDLEA, NAFDAC and international partners for their roles, while urging importers to use the Advance Ruling mechanism and enrol in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, stressing that compliance should be seen not as a burden but as a competitive advantage
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