The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted counterfeit medicines, illicit drugs and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53.39 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos, marking one of the country’s largest anti-smuggling operations in recent years.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the breakthrough during the official handover of the seized narcotics and expired pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Area Command. He described the operation as a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking, counterfeit medicines and other products that threaten public health and national security.
According to Adeniyi, the successful operation was made possible through intelligence gathering, cargo scanning, physical inspections and close collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Among the items intercepted were more than 6.7 tonnes of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as Canadian Loud, concealed inside two 40-foot containers alongside imported vehicles and automobile spare parts. Customs officers also seized 339,800 bottles of Codeine syrup, several containers of expired pharmaceutical products, counterfeit medicines bearing fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) labels, as well as Piccan Teething Powder.
One of the most alarming discoveries involved 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules carrying a fake NAFDAC registration number and an altered expiry date. Adeniyi explained that although the shipment initially appeared legitimate, detailed verification revealed that the product was never registered with NAFDAC, exposing what he described as a deliberate attempt to introduce unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market.
He stressed that the use of forged regulatory documents and fake registration numbers poses a serious threat to public health, as unsuspecting consumers could be exposed to unsafe and potentially harmful medications.
The Customs boss noted that the counterfeit medicines were confiscated in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be transferred to NAFDAC for further investigation, regulatory action and safe disposal where necessary.
Adeniyi emphasized that the significance of the seizures extends far beyond their estimated value of N53.39 billion, describing the operation as one that has protected countless lives and communities from the dangers of illicit drugs and fake medicines.
He warned that criminal networks involved in smuggling prohibited substances have continued to adopt increasingly sophisticated concealment methods, often disguising illegal products within legitimate commercial cargo to evade detection. Despite these tactics, he said the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to strengthen its intelligence capabilities and operational readiness to identify and dismantle such networks.
The seized narcotic drugs will now be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while expired and counterfeit pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory enforcement. Meanwhile, the vehicles, spare parts and other legitimate goods used to conceal the prohibited items will remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture and other enforcement procedures.
Adeniyi commended officers of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism and praised the strong partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies, describing inter-agency collaboration as critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
He also issued a strong warning to smugglers and organised criminal groups, declaring that Nigerian ports would no longer serve as safe entry points for illicit drugs, counterfeit medicines or other prohibited goods.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by Assistant Commander General of Narcotics Ibinabo Archie-Abia, described the operation as a major milestone in the fight against transnational drug trafficking.
According to Marwa, the interception of 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica was the result of a four-month intelligence-led operation involving the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and international partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
He disclosed that investigators closely monitored the movement of the containers from Canada until they arrived at Apapa Port, where they were successfully intercepted before the illegal cargo could enter circulation.
Marwa said the operation sends a strong message that Nigerian authorities remain committed to dismantling international drug trafficking syndicates and strengthening border security through intelligence sharing and strategic partnerships.
The latest seizure underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to combat the smuggling of illicit drugs and counterfeit medicines, protect public health and ensure that those responsible for trafficking dangerous products into Nigeria are brought to justice.
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