Customs Seizes Fake NAFDAC-labelled, Expired Medicines, Illicit Drugs Worth N53.39bn At Apapa Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted fake NAFDAC-labelled medicines, illicit drugs and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53.39 billion at the Apapa Port, describing the seizures as a major breakthrough in its efforts to protect public health and national security.

Speaking during the handover of the seized narcotics and expired pharmaceuticals at the Apapa Area Command on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the nine seizures followed intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and close collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to him, the seizures included over 6.7 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) concealed in two 40-foot containers alongside imported vehicles and automobile spare parts, 339,800 bottles of Codeine syrup, several containers of expired pharmaceutical products, Piccan Teething Powder, and fake NAFDAC-labelled medicines.

Adeniyi disclosed that one of the consignments contained 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and a false expiry date.

“This particular seizure at first glance, the consignment appeared legitimate. However, a detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant established that the product is, in fact, not registered with NAFDAC,” he said.

“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 risk to public health.”

The Customs boss said the counterfeit medicines had been seized in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and regulatory action.

He stated that the total value of the nine seizures stood at N53,391,140,029, stressing that the significance of the interceptions went beyond their monetary worth.

“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.

He warned that the importation of expired medicines and controlled substances remained a direct threat to public health, noting that criminal networks were increasingly using sophisticated concealment methods to exploit legitimate trade channels.

“These interceptions equally demonstrate that the Nigeria Customs Service possesses the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to detect, intercept and dismantle these criminal enterprises,” he added.

Adeniyi announced that the seized narcotic drugs would be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired pharmaceutical products would be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.

He explained that only the prohibited items were being handed over, while the vehicles, spare parts and other goods used to conceal them would remain in the custody of the Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.

The comptroller-general commended officers of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism and praised the collaboration between Customs, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.

He also issued a strong warning to smugglers, saying, “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.”

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and partnerships to protect the country’s borders, safeguard public health and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said a four-month intelligence-led operation involving the NDLEA, the NCS and international partners foiled the attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle 6,778.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as Canadian Loud, into Nigeria through Apapa Port in Lagos.

Marwa who represented by Assistant Commander General Narcrotics (ACGN) Ibinabo Archie-Abia described the operation as a major milestone in the fight against transnational drug trafficking.

He said the seizures, made on June 15 and June 24, were the result of months of intelligence gathering by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service.

“Today marks a landmark moment in the history of the synergy between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service. Together, we have taken 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as ‘Canadian Loud,’ out of circulation,” he said.

“Through two major seizures recorded on 15th and 24th June 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message: we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders.”

Marwa disclosed that actionable intelligence was painstakingly developed over four months, enabling operatives to monitor the movement of the containers from Canada until they arrived in Nigeria.

“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.