CUSTOMS APAPA COMMAND INTERCEPTS EXPIRED DRUGS, OTHER ITEMS WORTH OVER SIX BILLION NAIRA
…As CGC Commissions Command’s State-of-the-art Analytics Center
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted thirteen containers of expired pharmaceutical products and falsely declared goods worth over six billion Naira.
The seizures were displayed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, during a press briefing at the Command on Tuesday, 10th of March 2026 .
Addressing Journalists, the CG said that the seizures displayed were direct outcome of the shift
towards intelligence-driven enforcement supported by scanning technology
and targeted physical examination. According to him, “through careful risk profiling and nonintrusive inspection procedures, officers of the Service identified several
containers with irregular cargo profiles that warranted further examination.
What we are presenting today involves thirteen (13) containers and additional
contraband items intercepted through coordinated enforcement operations.”
“Following detailed scanning analysis and physical examination,
officers uncovered the following consignments:
A 40-foot container (HASU 4072659) conveying large quantities
of expired pharmaceutical products including Mixagrip Cold Caplets,
Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets. Two 40-foot containers (MRSU 4584911 and MRSU 6913370)
conveying large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate,
unregistered pharmaceuticals.
A 20-foot container (MRKU 8830266) conveying 800 cartons of
Codeine (TPL CSC) deliberately concealed inside toilet flushing
cisterns and sanitary ware.
A 40-foot container (MRSU 5147562) conveying cartons of
Artesunate 60 injections.
A 20-foot container (PCIU 286888) conveying restricted security
equipment without End User Certificates, including bulletproof vests,
helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches.
Additional seizures include:
A 20-foot container (TCLU 3819607) conveying expired muffin
cookie biscuits.
A 20-foot container (UGMU 8692902) containing 36,000 cans
of expired Primo energy drinks.
A 20-foot container (SUDU 1696593) loaded with expired St. Kelvin tomato paste.
Another 20-foot container (TCLU 1923314) containing expired De Truth tomato paste.
A 40-foot container (TCNU 7257465) containing 1,700 cartons of Codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks.
Another 40-foot container (CAAU 8375050) was found to contain
1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed with 156 cartons of electric
kettles, alongside additional pharmaceutical seizures including 13 cartons of
Bristol brand Co-codamol 500mg and 2 cartons of Zevita brand Co-codamol
500mg. Officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa
(Colorado) weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle with
Chassis No. 5TDDK3DC7DS057669.”
“Collectively, these seizures amount to ₦6,381,237,988.00 (Six Billion,
Three Hundred and Eighty-One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven
Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira) worth of prohibited,
expired and falsely declared goods. The importation of expired drugs and
controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the
concealment of codeine-based products represents a calculated attempt to fuel
substance abuse and undermine our healthcare system.”
In his words, “let me therefore state clearly that Apapa Port is no longer a playground
for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade
documentation. In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023,
these consignments are liable to outright forfeiture, while penalties will be
imposed, evaded revenues recovered and all persons connected to these
shipments will face prosecution.”
“To compliant traders and investors, let me reiterate that our
enforcement is not against legitimate trade; it is against criminality. Those
who comply with the law will continue to enjoy facilitation and predictability.
Let today’s operation send an unmistakable signal: the gaps
smugglers once exploited in our ports are closing fast. Through technology,
intelligence, and vigilant officers, the Nigeria Customs Service will intercept, expose, and prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine our
trade system or threaten the safety of our citizens,” the CG said.
Meanwhile, NCS, Apapa Command, same Tuesday, 10th of March, 2026, commissioned a State- of- the-art Analytics Center.
The commissioning of the center was done by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
Addressing stakeholders, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said that the magnificent two – storey building proudly named CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytics Arena had been designed with a futuristic, data-driven approach to border security. Saying that it was patterned to house critical, tactical and operational components of the Command, including : The State -of- the-art Analytics Center of excellence, the Customs Intelligence Unit(CIU), the Command’s Clinic, to ensure the health and well-being of personnel, and other key strategic offices.
The CAC added that the infrastructure was a direct reflection of the vision of the CG to leverage modern technology and analytics to fight smuggling, secure the nation and facilitate legitimate trade.
He expressed profound appreciation to stakeholders and partners, saying that their collaboration had been instrumental in turning the vision into reality.
The CAC also appreciated the CGC for his unwavering support, as well as prioritizing the welfare and operational efficiency of officers at Command level.
