Customs uncovers N53bn illicit drugs, fake medicines at Apapa port

The Nigerian Customs Service intercepted nine containers loaded with illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals and fake medicines worth N53.39 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The narcotics were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday, while the expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for regulatory action and disposal.

While handing over, Bashir Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of Customs, said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence gathering, cargo scanning, physical examination and collaboration with sister agencies.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.

The seized cargo included nearly 6.8 tonnes of cannabis concealed alongside imported vehicles and household goods, about 339,800 bottles of codeine syrup hidden inside consignments of casserole dishes, as well as multiple containers of expired medicines, including tramadol, oxytocin injections, carbamazepine tablets and other pharmaceutical products.

Customs also intercepted a shipment of chlorpheniramine capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number.

According to Adeniyi, the consignment carrying the fake registration initially appeared legitimate until further verification established that the products had never been registered by NAFDAC.

“The use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious risk to public health,” he said.

The CG said the Service had strengthened its intelligence and technological capabilities to detect increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods.

“To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks.”

Mohamed Marwa, a retired brigadier general and chairman of the NDLEA, said joint operations between the agency and Customs had conteibute to removing thousands of kilograms of cannabis from circulation.