Customs Intercepts ₦53.39bn Illicit Drugs, Fake and Expired Pharmaceuticals, Hands Over 6.8 Tonnes Of Canadian Loud To NDLEA
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit drugs, fake and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53.39 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos, handing over 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as Canadian Loud, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while transferring expired and unregistered drugs to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.
The seizures, made by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), included 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica (Canadian Loud), large volumes of codeine syrup, expired pharmaceutical products and medicines bearing fake registration documents.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the operation reflects the Service's commitment to protecting society through intelligence-led border management and strengthened inter-agency cooperation.
"It gives me great pleasure to be back here for this briefing on the discharge of Customs mandate in societal protection," Adeniyi said.
He noted that the event came shortly after his participation at the 147th/148th Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council in Brussels, where customs administrations from 187 member countries deliberated on the theme, "Customs Protecting the Society through Vigilance and Commitment."
According to him, the council sessions also provided an opportunity to deepen cooperation with key international partners, including the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and INTERPOL.
"I am happy to note that today's briefing is indeed a manifestation of some of our conclusions at the Council meeting. It is indeed showcasing the end product of diligent commitment to societal cause, driven and supported by collaboration between and among agencies, within and across our national jurisdiction," he said.
The Customs boss disclosed that the seizures comprised two 40-foot containers carrying 6,778.5kg of Cannabis Indica concealed alongside imported vehicles, household goods and automobile spare parts.
Other interceptions included two containers loaded with a combined 339,800 bottles of Codeine Syrup, three containers carrying expired pharmaceutical products such as Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules and Vitamin B12 injections, as well as a container of Piccan Teething Powder.
Customs also intercepted another container carrying CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and counterfeit documentation.
Adeniyi said investigations established that the product had never been registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (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 risk to public health," he said.
He stressed that the seizures represented far more than their monetary value.
"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 stated.
He added that while narcotic drugs would be transferred to the NDLEA and expired medicines handed over to NAFDAC, other goods concealed with the prohibited items, including vehicles and spare parts, would remain in Customs custody for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.
The Comptroller-General warned criminal syndicates against using Nigerian ports for illicit trade.
"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," he said.
Representing the NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), ACG Narcotics, Ibinabo Archie-Abia described the seizure as a landmark achievement in the growing partnership between the two agencies.
"Today marks a landmark moment in the history of the synergy between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)," she said.
"Together, we have taken 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as 'Canadian Loud,' out of circulation. 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."
She disclosed that both interceptions resulted from over four months of intelligence-led operations carried out by the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
According to her, investigators tracked the containers from Canada through multiple international ports before intercepting them at Apapa Port.
She said the first container departed Toronto on April 16, 2026, was transported through Montreal, Morocco and Tin Can Island Port before arriving at Apapa, while the second left Montreal on May 1 and followed a similar route before its interception.
"These are enormous seizures well over six tons of Canadian Loud! We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation, despite the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities," she said.
"Our work does not end with a seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, to confiscating their criminal assets, and to ensuring that they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise."
She commended the officers of the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for their professionalism and commitment, describing the operation as proof of the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, international cooperation and inter-agency collaboration in combating transnational organised crime.
The NDLEA also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks while safeguarding Nigeria's maritime domain for legitimate trade, investment and national security.
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