The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 13 containers of expired drugs, food items, and security equipment, worth ₦6.38 billion, at Apapa Port in Lagos State.

The comptroller-general of customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.

Mr Adeniyi said the seizures by the Apapa Area Command intensified intelligence-led enforcement, the deployment of scanning technology, and the targeted physical examination of suspicious consignments.

“The items seized include expired pharmaceutical products such as Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections, and diclofenac tablets,” Mr Adeniyi said.

He added that officers also intercepted large consignments of Hyegra 200, sildenafil citrate, and 800 cartons of codeine concealed in toilet cisterns and sanitary ware.

“Other intercepted items include cartons of Artesunate injections and restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies, and tactical torches,” he said.

Mr Adeniyi said officers also seized containers of expired food items, including muffin cookies and biscuits, and 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks.

He added that containers of expired St. Kelvin and De Truth tomato paste were also discovered during the operation.

“Another container contained 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks.

“A separate container carried 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden among cartons of electric kettles,” Mr Adeniyi said.

He said officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 347.57 kilogrammes concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

“Collectively, these seizures amount to ₦6,381,237,988 worth of prohibited, expired, and falsely declared goods.

“The importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health,” Mr Adeniyi said.

He added that concealment of codeine-based products was a deliberate attempt to fuel substance abuse and undermine the healthcare system.

“Let me state clearly that Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” he warned.

Mr Adeniyi said physical examination still dominated cargo control procedures, highlighting the need to expand scanning technology at ports.

He explained that stronger non-intrusive inspection and intelligence-driven risk management would help focus physical checks on high-risk shipments.

According to him, the service aims to increase cargo scanning across major entry points before the end of 2026.

These include Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, and other operational commands nationwide.

“This shift will enhance enforcement accuracy, reduce port congestion and support legitimate trade,” he said.

Mr Adeniyi noted that achieving the target would depend largely on improved compliance by traders and port stakeholders.

“As compliance improves, customs will rely more on technology-driven inspection rather than time-consuming physical examination,” he said.

He urged traders to strengthen compliance and participate in the Authorised Economic Operator programme.

The customs boss said the programme offered trusted traders predictable clearance procedures and faster cargo facilitation.

Mr Adeniyi said the seized consignments were liable to forfeiture under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He added that penalties would be imposed while persons linked to the shipments would face prosecution.

The customs boss said the service would continue facilitating legitimate trade while preventing criminal networks from exploiting Nigeria’s ports.

(NAN)