Nine containers laden with cannabis, codeine syrup, expired pharmaceuticals and counterfeit medical products handed over to NDLEA and NAFDAC as authorities tighten intelligence-led border enforcement.
By Anita Babalola – July 1, 2026
APAPA, LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has delivered one of its biggest blows yet against transnational drug trafficking and counterfeit pharmaceutical smuggling, handing over nine containers loaded with illicit narcotics, fake medicines and expired pharmaceutical products valued at N53.391 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The massive seizure, announced during a handover ceremony at the Apapa Port in Lagos on Wednesday, underscores Nigeria’s escalating intelligence-driven war against organised criminal networks exploiting the nation’s seaports to flood local markets with dangerous substances capable of triggering addiction, preventable deaths and wider public health emergencies.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the interceptions as a significant victory for intelligence-led border security and evidence that strengthened collaboration among security agencies is yielding measurable results.
According to him, the seizures were made by the Apapa Area Command following extensive intelligence gathering, container profiling, scanning analysis, physical examination and coordinated operations involving the NDLEA.
He noted that the exercise came only days after the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reinforcing the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, safeguarding public health and strengthening national security.
Massive Cannabis Shipment Hidden Among Imported Vehicles
Among the most significant interceptions was a 40-foot container identified as CAAU7569127, which concealed 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,819.5 kilograms behind three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
Another 40-foot container, HAMU3246311, contained 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, carefully hidden alongside two imported vehicles and household items.
Officials say the concealment methods reflected increasing sophistication by international drug trafficking syndicates attempting to evade customs inspection through legitimate commercial imports.
Thousands of Cartons of Codeine and Expired Medicines Intercepted
Beyond the cannabis seizures, Customs officers uncovered multiple shipments containing large quantities of controlled pharmaceutical products.
Among them were:
- A container (MRKU3816476) carrying 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup concealed inside 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.
- Another container (TGBU5399178) loaded with 1,698 cartons of codeine syrup hidden among household products.
- A shipment (HASU4519480) containing 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including tramadol.
- Container (MRKU4961275) containing 1,269 cartons of expired medicines, including oxytocin injections, eye drops and carbamazepine tablets.
- Another consignment (PCIU8771576) carrying expired pharmaceutical products including cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-complex injections.
Customs officers also intercepted a 20-foot container carrying Piccan teething powder, alongside another shipment loaded with 1,100 packages of Chacold chlorpheniramine maleate capsules bearing counterfeit NAFDAC registration numbers and fake expiry dates extending to December 2028.
According to Customs officials, the products initially appeared to have valid regulatory documentation until detailed verification revealed that the registration certificates presented by the importer were fraudulent.
Intelligence Technology Exposes Sophisticated Criminal Operations
Adeniyi disclosed that the interceptions were made possible through advanced intelligence analysis and non-intrusive inspection technologies now deployed across Nigeria’s busiest seaports.
Although the consignments were accompanied by documentation intended to portray them as legitimate imports, subsequent verification established that the pharmaceutical products were never registered with NAFDAC.
He described the use of forged regulatory certificates and fake registration numbers as evidence of deliberate attempts by organised criminal syndicates to infiltrate Nigeria’s healthcare supply chain.
The Customs chief warned that expired medicines and unregistered pharmaceutical products pose grave dangers to consumers, particularly vulnerable patients who may unknowingly rely on ineffective or contaminated medications.
Consequently, the affected consignments were seized under the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, before being transferred to NAFDAC for further regulatory investigation and safe disposal.
“These Seizures Represent Lives Saved” — Customs Boss
While announcing the cumulative duty-paid value of N53.391 billion, Adeniyi stressed that the operation’s significance extended far beyond financial figures.
According to him, every intercepted container represents families protected from addiction, communities shielded from criminal drug networks and thousands of young Nigerians spared the devastating consequences associated with narcotics abuse and unsafe pharmaceutical products.
He warned that criminal organisations continue to refine their concealment strategies by disguising prohibited imports within legitimate commercial cargo, thereby challenging border security agencies to remain technologically ahead of evolving trafficking tactics.
Nevertheless, he maintained that the successful interceptions demonstrated the growing intelligence capability, technological sophistication and operational readiness of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Customs, NDLEA and NAFDAC Deepen Joint Enforcement
Adeniyi explained that narcotic substances falling within the statutory mandate of the NDLEA would immediately be transferred to the anti-drug agency for criminal investigation and prosecution.
Similarly, expired medicines and counterfeit pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action, forensic examination and environmentally safe destruction.
However, imported vehicles, automobile spare parts and other legitimate goods used to conceal prohibited items will remain in Customs custody pending seizure, forfeiture proceedings, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.
The Comptroller-General praised officers of the Apapa Area Command for what he described as exemplary professionalism and reaffirmed the agency’s determination to strengthen cooperation with domestic regulators, private sector stakeholders and international partners.
He vowed that every intelligence lead would be investigated and every offender prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.
He further warned international trafficking organisations that Nigerian ports are increasingly becoming hostile environments for criminal enterprises due to enhanced surveillance systems, intelligence fusion and coordinated border management.
NDLEA: International Intelligence Collaboration Made the Seizures Possible
Receiving the seized narcotics on behalf of the NDLEA, Chairman Buba Marwa, represented by Assistant Commander of Narcotics Archie-Abia Ogboba, described the operation as another milestone in the expanding partnership between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Marwa disclosed that the agencies had successfully removed 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly called “Canadian Loud,” from circulation through coordinated operations conducted on June 15 and June 24, 2026.
He noted that both interceptions followed months of intelligence gathering undertaken by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with international partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
According to him, marine surveillance officers tracked the targeted vessels and shipping containers throughout their international voyage before intercepting them immediately upon arrival in Nigeria.
He stressed that the successful operation demonstrates Nigeria’s increasing capacity to combat transnational organised crime through intelligence sharing and international law enforcement cooperation.
Growing Threat of Counterfeit Medicines
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that counterfeit and expired medicines remain one of Africa’s most dangerous public health threats, contributing to treatment failures, antimicrobial resistance and preventable deaths.
The latest seizures also highlight the persistent attempts by organised criminal groups to exploit Nigeria’s large pharmaceutical market by introducing fake drugs through commercial shipping channels.
Security analysts believe continued investment in container scanning technology, intelligence gathering and international collaboration will remain critical if authorities are to sustain pressure on increasingly sophisticated trafficking syndicates.
The seizure and transfer of narcotics and counterfeit pharmaceuticals worth more than N53.39 billion marks one of the largest coordinated anti-smuggling operations recorded at Nigeria’s busiest seaport in recent times.
Beyond its monetary value, the operation represents a significant disruption of criminal supply chains capable of fuelling drug abuse, undermining healthcare delivery and threatening national security.
With Customs, NDLEA and NAFDAC promising even closer collaboration, authorities insist that Nigeria’s ports will continue to witness intensified surveillance aimed at dismantling organised criminal networks seeking to exploit legitimate trade routes for illicit commerce.
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