The Nigeria Customs Service has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat smuggling, seizing 16 containers valued at ₦10 billion containing hard drugs, arms, expired pharmaceuticals, banned poultry, and counterfeit goods.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure, with three already charged to court and remanded in Ikoyi Prison, while two are on administrative bail.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in a briefing at Apapa Port Customs Command revealed that the seizures followed weeks of intelligence gathering, coordinated inspections, and inter-agency collaboration. One of the containers, a 40-foot box, was found to contain 101 kilograms of Canadian marijuana, two pump-action rifles, and ammunition. The container was consigned to one Mr. Babatunde Ogidioglu of Lagos.
Other seized items include seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food products, mainly margarine, three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing, and two 40-foot containers, each carrying 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry. Additionally, a container with 305 cartons of unregistered toothpaste concealed under beads and jalabiya was intercepted, violating NAFDAC and brand protection regulations.
Adeniyi emphasised that the Service would pursue the importers and their accomplices “network for network” until they are brought to justice, stressing that Nigeria will not be turned into a dumping ground for dangerous imports. The Customs boss also announced that the Service would intensify cooperation with agencies like NAFDAC and NDLEA to track and dismantle the syndicate’s operations.
The Nigeria Customs Service has also stopped the examination of pharmaceuticals at bonded terminals to curb the increasing cases of expired drugs imported into the country.
Adeniyi assured that the Service would not reverse this decision, citing licensing and compliance issues with many operators.
He confirmed that prosecutions have commenced, with three of the suspects already in court and remanded in prison custody, while two are awaiting trial.