The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 13 containers of prohibited and expired goods valued at about ₦6.38 billion at Apapa Port following intensified enforcement operations.
The seizures were announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during a press briefing at APM Terminals in Lagos.
According to Adeniyi, the interception was made possible through intelligence-driven investigations, cargo scanning technology, and targeted physical inspections carried out by the Apapa Area Command.
Among the items recovered were 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, along with 800 cartons of codeine syrup concealed inside toilet cisterns and sanitary ware.
Further inspections uncovered cartons of Artesunate injections as well as restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies, and tactical torches.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, customs officers discovered several containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookie biscuits, 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks, and containers of expired tomato paste branded St. Kelvin and De Truth.
Adeniyi revealed that another container carried 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup hidden among luxury food flasks, while a separate container contained 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed within cartons of electric kettles.
The operation also led to the discovery of 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing about 347.57 kilograms, hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
According to the customs chief, the total value of the seized items is estimated at ₦6,381,237,988.
Adeniyi warned that the importation of expired medicines and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health and noted that the concealment of codeine-based products suggests deliberate attempts to promote substance abuse.
He also stated that Nigeria’s ports would no longer be used as channels for illegal imports, stressing that Apapa Port is no longer a safe haven for smugglers hiding behind legitimate documentation.
The Comptroller-General further revealed plans to expand cargo scanning technology across major ports before the end of 2026 to improve enforcement efficiency and reduce congestion.
Ports expected to benefit from the expansion include Tin Can Island Port, Port Harcourt Port, Onne Port, and Calabar Port.
The seized consignments are liable to forfeiture under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while individuals connected to the shipments could face prosecution.
