Customs hands over N43.5bn seized drugs, drones, expired goods in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over intercepted narcotics, controlled pharmaceuticals, drones and expired products with a combined value of N43.5 billion to relevant government agencies.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, handed over the seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, while the controlled and expired pharmaceutical products were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Thursday.

Speaking during the handover at the Apapa Port in Lagos, Adeniyi said the seizures underscored the broader responsibilities of the Customs Service beyond revenue generation.

According to him, Customs plays a critical role in securing the supply chain, protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring that goods entering the country do not endanger national security or public health.

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He said criminal networks were increasingly attempting to move narcotics, restricted equipment and expired products through legitimate consignments by resorting to false declarations, agents and organised syndicates operating within ports.

Adeniyi explained that some of the concealment techniques involved hiding narcotics inside vehicles, placing drugs beneath household items and declaring restricted equipment as ordinary electronic devices in an attempt to evade detection.

The CGC said the service had significantly improved its cargo-targeting capabilities over the past three years through profiling, risk assessment and the deployment of the producer platform, which integrates trade data across Customs commands nationwide.

He disclosed that the service also established an INTERPOL Data Centre in Abuja in July 2026, providing Nigeria with access to more than 152 international security databases.

Adeniyi attributed the improved intelligence-led operations to stronger collaboration with the NDLEA under a Memorandum of Understanding, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international partners.

He said Customs intercepted 11 containers containing three major categories of prohibited and restricted items.

The first category included 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624kg, concealed in three containers, as well as 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup hidden among household goods.

The second category comprised 100 high-definition dual-camera drones imported without the necessary approvals.

Adeniyi warned that the drones and other security-sensitive equipment could be deployed for unauthorised surveillance and criminal purposes if allowed into the wrong hands.

The third category consisted of expired tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquids, disposable nappies and vaginal tablets, which the CGC said could expose unsuspecting consumers to serious health risks.

Other items seized included 1,282 bales of used clothing, 148 bags of foreign parboiled rice, lithium batteries and food products concealed alongside the illicit consignments.

Adeniyi stressed that drones and other security-sensitive equipment must be accompanied by end-user certificates and relevant security approvals before they can be lawfully imported.

He warned that any unauthorised imports would be detained and subsequently transferred to the appropriate government agencies for necessary action.

The Customs boss commended officers of the Apapa Command, the NDLEA and other local and international partners for their cooperation in disrupting illicit trade.

He also urged the media to continue exposing individuals and criminal networks that undermine legitimate commerce and threaten national security.

Adeniyi advised importers to utilise the Advanced Ruling and Authorised Economic Operator programmes to improve compliance with import regulations and facilitate legitimate trade.

He stressed that Nigerian ports would not be permitted to serve as safe corridors for prohibited or illicit goods.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the presence of the CGC and other stakeholders reflected the importance attached to leadership, inter-agency collaboration and accountability.

Oshoba said the involvement of sister agencies further demonstrated the sustained cooperation required to protect national security, public safety and economic prosperity.

He assured that the Apapa Command would continue to align with the CGC’s policy direction while maintaining professionalism, discipline, integrity and diligence in facilitating legitimate trade and safeguarding the national interest.

According to him, joint operations and sustained collaboration with sister agencies had continued to strengthen the command’s ability to disrupt criminal networks and effectively carry out its responsibilities.

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