The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday handed over seized illicit drugs, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53. 39billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), reaffirming its commitment to combating the importation and trafficking of illicit drugs and other prohibited substances.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Apapa port in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the seizures were the result of painstaking intelligence gathering, non-intrusive inspection, scanning analysis, physical examination and sustained collaboration with the NDLEA.
He said the seizures involved nine containers intercepted by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing criminal syndicates from using Nigeria’s ports to smuggle narcotics and expired pharmaceuticals into the country.
He said the seized items included two 40-foot containers loaded with 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1819.5 kilograms and 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 4.95 metric tones respectively concealed alongside imported vehicles, household items and automobile spare parts.
Adeniyi said the Service also intercepted two containers carrying 3,398 cartons containing 339,800 bottles of codeine syrup, hidden inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes.
Other seizures included three containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products such as Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections.
He added that Customs also seized a container loaded with Piccan Teething Powder and another container conveying 1100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and false supporting documents.
According to Adeniyi, detailed verification revealed that the product was not registered with NAFDAC, indicating a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market.
He said only the narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products were being handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, while the accompanying vehicles, spare parts and other imported goods would remain in Customs custody for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.
“The cumulative Duty Paid Value of these nine seizures stands at N53,391,140,029. These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss noted that the sophisticated concealment methods adopted by criminal networks demonstrated their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels, but stressed that the Service possesses the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to detect and dismantle such operations.
“To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks. Through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of our officers, the Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by criminal syndicates.
“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation. Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country, ” he said.
Adeniyi commended officers of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism and vigilance, while also appreciating the sustained collaboration between Customs, the NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.
He pledged to deepen the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the NDLEA to strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance joint operations and ensure the arrest and prosecution of members of drug trafficking syndicates.
Receiving the seized narcotics on behalf of the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Director of Seaport Operations, Ibinabo Archiea Abia Ogoba, described the operation as a landmark achievement in the collaboration between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He disclosed that the interception of the 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud followed over four months of intelligence gathering involving the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit, Marine Intelligence Unit and foreign partners, particularly the the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
According to him, investigators tracked the containers from Canada through Morocco before they arrived at Tin Can Island Port and were eventually intercepted during joint examinations at Apapa Port.
Marwa said the NDLEA would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the illicit consignments while confiscating the proceeds of their criminal activities.
He commended Customs and other security agencies for their professionalism, saying the successful seizures underscored the value of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and international cooperation in combating transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.
More to read
NPA sets up joint task force to tackle resurgent port access gridlock
FEC approves N286bn maritime projects to boost port efficiency, safety
AMAE extends “Paint Your Coast” maritime art drive to Makoko community