The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted six containers loaded with unregistered pharmaceuticals, fake cosmetics, used clothing, and two stolen sport-utility vehicles at the Apapa Port, Lagos. The latest seizure, which comes just two weeks after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, displayed 12 containers of similar contraband at the same command, has a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,247,427,969.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, said the seizures were made through diligent intelligence gathering, local collaborations, and international partnerships, particularly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). According to him, the intercepted containers were falsely declared and categorized under different disguises in an attempt to beat Customs checks.
He explained that one of the containers, with number SUDU 8685733, contained 1,698 cartons of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closets. Another container, numbered MRSU 4846204, had 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup hidden inside toilet seats. Both containers, he noted, have a street value of N2.71 billion and were intercepted through joint efforts with the NDLEA.
Olomu further disclosed that another set of containers, including ONEU 1153150, which was falsely declared as truck tyres, actually contained 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream. Also, container MRSU 3258823 was found to be laden with various unregistered pharmaceutical products such as Rabeprazole injections, Zahifranil tablets, Vancomycin hydrochloride, and Cyproheptadine with vitamin B complex, all falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
In another major bust, container MRKU 0904594 was discovered to contain two stolen luxury vehicles from Canada — a 2024 Lexus RX 450 with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis number 2T2BAMCAPC032741. The container was falsely declared as containing food items. Additionally, container SEKU 4716830 was found to hold 390 bales of used clothing, contravening Nigeria’s import prohibition laws.
Comptroller Olomu stressed that while the Service remains committed to facilitating trade and generating revenue for the government, it also bears the responsibility of shielding Nigerians from harmful imports and criminal activities.
He described those behind the shipments as “merchants of death” whose aim is to endanger the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians for selfish gains.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that such dangerous consignments do not make their way into the country, assuring that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to protect national security and public health.
