The Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered a major cache of smuggled and restricted goods worth ₦6.38 billion at Apapa Port, including codeine syrup hidden inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
The seizure was announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a press briefing at APM Terminals Apapa on Tuesday.
According to Adeniyi, the interception involved 13 containers loaded with expired pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, illicit food items and restricted security equipment.
He said the breakthrough followed enhanced intelligence gathering, the deployment of advanced cargo scanning technology and targeted physical inspections by officers of the Apapa Area Command.
Among the items seized were expired Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections and diclofenac tablets. Customs also discovered large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate, as well as 800 cartons of codeine syrup ingeniously concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary fittings.
Further inspections revealed a container carrying 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup hidden inside luxury food flasks, while another container held 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine carefully concealed among electric kettles.
Other intercepted items included Artesunate injections, bulletproof vests, protective helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches. Officers also seized expired food products such as muffin biscuits, 36,000 cans of Primo energy drink, and containers of expired St. Kelvin and De Truth tomato paste.
In another discovery, Customs operatives uncovered 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Adeniyi said the operation underscores the Service’s determination to curb the influx of dangerous and prohibited items through Nigerian ports.
He noted that while technology is playing an increasingly significant role in cargo enforcement, physical examination still accounts for a large portion of inspections, highlighting the need for expanded deployment of scanners at the nation’s ports.
“Our goal is to significantly increase the proportion of cargo scanned at all major entry points, including Tin Can Island Port, Port Harcourt Port and Onne Port before the end of the year”, he said.
According to him, wider use of scanning technology will enhance enforcement accuracy, reduce port congestion and speed up clearance for compliant traders.
The Customs boss also urged port users to take advantage of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, which offers faster and more predictable cargo clearance for trusted businesses.
Citing provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, Adeniyi said all seized consignments would face outright forfeiture, while individuals linked to the illegal shipments risk prosecution and stiff penalties.
He reassured legitimate traders that the Service’s intensified enforcement operations are targeted strictly at criminal networks and not lawful trade.