Operatives of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have again intercepted two containers laden with a total of 3,398 cartons (339,800 bottles) of Codeine-containing Syrup (CSP) carefully concealed in household utensils at the Apapa Port.
The seizure according to the command has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3. 398billion.
This is coming barely five days after the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi visited Apapa Port and declared that the port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation.
The operation jointly carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) occurred on Sunday15 March 2026.
The details of the seizures include a Container No. MRKU 3816476 found to contain 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 38 cartons of pearl plating insulated casserole/5′ Bullet Insulated Hotspot and Container No. TGBU 5399178 was found to contain 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 36 cartons of pearl plating casserole.
Both containers have been converted to seizure in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as amended.
Speaking on the latest interception, Controller of the Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba said the seizure serves as a clear demonstration of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the CGC.
“This fresh seizure, coming just Five (5) days after the CGC’s visit and strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge on us. We are fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers,” he stated.
He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its seamless collaboration and unwavering support in the successful operation.
Comptroller Oshoba maintained that the Apapa Area Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect public health, safeguard national security and facilitate only legitimate trade, in line with the CGC’s renewed emphasis on technology-driven operations and zero tolerance for smuggling activities.
This information was contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer,
Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman.
More to read
‘Weak integration of regulatory agencies, systems threatens National Single Window rollout’
Navy destroys illegal refinery in Rivers, intercepts stolen petroleum products in Calabar
Clearing agents decry NPA license approval delays, warn of port disruptions