Customs Hands Over ₦53.39bn Drug Seizures to NDLEA, NAFDAC
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized narcotic drugs, fake and expired pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The handover ceremony took place at the Apapa Area Command, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and was chaired by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Adeniyi disclosed that the items formed part of nine major seizures recently recorded by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, non-intrusive inspection (NII), scanning analysis, physical examination, and sustained collaboration with the NDLEA.
According to the CGC, the seizures included a 40-foot container (No. CAAU7569127) containing 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
Another 40-foot container (No. HAMU3246311) was found to contain 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, concealed with two imported vehicles and household items.
Also intercepted were two containers loaded with Codeine Syrup. Container No. MRKU3816476 contained 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) concealed alongside 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes, while container No. TGBU5399178 contained 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) hidden inside 36 cartons of casserole products.
The Service also seized several containers carrying expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products. Container No. HASU4519480 contained 1,300 cartons of expired medicines, including Tramadol (Timakadol), while container No. MRKU4961275 conveyed 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops, and Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).
Another container, No. PCIU8771576, was found to contain expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin Capsules 100mg, Cynamine 12 Vitamin B12 injections, and Becoline B-Complex injections, all intercepted for regulatory action.
Other seizures included a 20-foot container (No. MRKU6964435) carrying Piccan Teething Powder and a 40-foot container (No. TCKU7000791) loaded with 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and an expiry date of December 2028.
Adeniyi explained that the seizure of the CHACOLD capsules resulted from detailed intelligence analysis and non-intrusive inspection.
“At first glance, the consignment appeared legitimate. However, detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant established that the product is not registered with NAFDAC. The use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious threat to public health,” he said.
He noted that the consignment was seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation and regulatory action.
The CGC stated that the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the nine seizures stood at ₦53,391,140,029.00.
He stressed that the seizures represented more than financial value, describing them as lives saved, families protected, communities secured, and thousands of young Nigerians shielded from the dangers of drug abuse and unsafe medicines.
According to him, the sophisticated concealment methods employed by criminal syndicates underscore their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit activities, while the interceptions demonstrate the Customs Service’s growing intelligence capability, technological advancement, and operational readiness to combat such crimes.
“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution. Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal,” Adeniyi said.
He clarified that where prohibited items were concealed alongside vehicles, automobile spare parts, or other imported goods, only the narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products were being handed over, while the remaining items would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery, and other enforcement actions.
The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication, while also appreciating the sustained collaboration between the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and other security agencies.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with relevant government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to prevent criminal organisations from exploiting Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“Our resolve is unwavering. Every intelligence lead will be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated, and every offender brought to justice in accordance with the law. We remain committed to building a secure trading environment that protects our economy, safeguards public health, and reinforces national security,” he said.
Adeniyi warned criminal syndicates that Nigeria’s ports were no longer safe havens for smugglers of illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods.
“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 national security,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie’s Abia Ogoba, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Nigeria Customs Service for their steadfast efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking.
“We recognise the sacrifices of your officers, who work daily to generate much-needed revenue for our nation while courageously confronting smugglers and other enemies of our economy,” he said.
Ogoba reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies to dismantle criminal drug trafficking networks and ensure the nation’s maritime domain remains safe for legitimate trade, investment, tourism, and national prosperity.
He added that the Agency would intensify investigations and ensure the prosecution of offenders in line with its statutory mandate.
