The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 13 containers of prohibited, expired and falsely declared goods worth over ₦6.81 billion at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, in one of its largest recent anti-smuggling operations.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the consignments were uncovered after detailed scanning and physical examination at the port. The seizures included expired pharmaceuticals, large quantities of unregistered drugs such as Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate, and hundreds of cartons of codeine-based products hidden inside sanitary ware, luxury flasks and household appliances.
Officers also intercepted restricted security equipment – including bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches – imported without the required End User Certificates. Several containers were found loaded with expired food and beverages, including biscuits, energy drinks and tomato paste.
In a further discovery, Customs uncovered 13 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Adeniyi warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health and fuels substance abuse. He stressed that the seized consignments would be forfeited in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while those linked to the shipments would face penalties and prosecution.
He added that the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateway, would no longer serve as a haven for smugglers exploiting legitimate trade channels.