Apapa Customs seizes contraband, expired drugs worth N12.8bn

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa and two containers of expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.78 billion,.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, who made the disclosure on Tuesday evening, stated that officers working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a 40-foot container carrying 3,639 sachets of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as “Canadian Loud,” weighing approximately 1,819 kilograms.

Oshoba said the narcotics were concealed inside vehicles and hidden among other cargo in an attempt to evade detection.

He revealed that in a separate operation, the Command seized two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including antibiotics, injections, eye drops and other medications with expiry dates ranging from 2021 to 2023.

The products were allegedly intended for relabelling and reintroduction into the Nigerian market, a practice regulators say poses serious health and economic risks.

“The circulation of expired medicines undermines consumer confidence, distorts fair competition and threatens investments in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector,” he said.

The Customs Area Controller further explained that the seizures reflect the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the economy through intelligence-driven enforcement.

He warned importers involved in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of prohibited or expired products that Customs would continue to deploy advanced risk assessment tools and strategic profiling to detect high-risk consignments.

According to him, the Command remains focused on balancing robust enforcement with trade facilitation in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.

The Apapa Command said it would continue collaborating with relevant security and regulatory agencies to strengthen border controls, secure legitimate trade and protect the country’s economic interests.

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