The Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted a massive consignment of illicit, expired, and counterfeit pharmaceutical products with an estimated Duty Paid Value of ₦53.39 billion at the Apapa Port, marking a significant blow to criminal networks attempting to bypass regulatory scrutiny. During a recent operation, Customs officials discovered several containers—initially disguised as legitimate imports—that contained narcotics like Cannabis Sativa, massive quantities of Codeine syrup, and various expired medical supplies such as antibiotics and pain relief tablets. A major point of concern highlighted by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was the discovery of shipments bearing forged NAFDAC registration numbers and false expiry dates, a deceptive tactic used to mislead authorities and flood the Nigerian market with dangerous, substandard products. The seized narcotics have been transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired and unregistered pharmaceutical items have been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for regulatory action and safe disposal. This operation underscores the strengthened inter-agency collaboration between the NCS, NDLEA, and NAFDAC, as well as the improved intelligence and technological capabilities now being employed to secure Nigeria’s ports and borders against the influx of harmful contraband.
