Saturday, July 19, 2025 - The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 16 containers loaded with contraband and falsely declared goods, including illicit pharmaceuticals valued at a staggering ₦20.5 billion
The drugs were concealed under layers of legitimate consumer goods such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, plumbing materials, and even car parts in an attempt to evade detection.
The seizure was announced Friday at the Onne Port in Rivers State
by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who led journalists
through the inspection of the intercepted items during a press briefing at the
Customs Area 2 Command Headquarters.
According to Adeniyi, the containers — 11 of which were stuffed
with dangerous and unregistered drugs — were concealed under layers of
legitimate consumer goods such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, plumbing
materials, and even car parts in an attempt to evade detection. The illegal
contents included over 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 12.6 million
tablets of Tapentadol/Tramadol, and several other unregulated prescription
drugs with high abuse potential.
“This represents a calculated attempt to exploit Nigeria’s trade
channels and flood the market with potentially dangerous substances,” Adeniyi
said, warning that the public health consequences could have been catastrophic.
The seizure, he explained, was the result of intensified
intelligence-led enforcement operations carried out by the Customs in close
collaboration with other national regulatory bodies, including the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Office of the National Security
Adviser.
Backed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the agency mounted
what it described as targeted interdictions at high-risk corridors and port
entries — efforts that culminated in the interception of these 16 containers.
Among the listed seized drugs were: 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine
Syrup (100ml), 9.3 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, 12.6 million
tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg), 3.5 million tablets of Trodol
(5mg), 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg), 717,360 tablets of Bisoveu, and 2.2
million tablets of Bassuka (50mg).
“These drugs were hidden beneath items like 118 ceiling fans, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, 2,610 plumbing fixtures, and even 2,268 units of Smart Tech vehicle parts,” Adeniyi explained. “This level of concealment shows the growing sophistication of smuggling syndicates.”
The Customs boss warned that the unregulated circulation of such drugs could trigger a surge in drug addiction, worsen Nigeria’s public health crisis, and embolden criminal networks that thrive on illegal drug trade.
“Unregulated drugs
compromise treatment outcomes and contribute to the breakdown of public safety.
This is not just a health issue — it’s a national security risk.”
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola
Adeyeye, praised the Customs for the breakthrough. She described the seizure as
a “critical line of defence” against hazardous products entering Nigerian homes
and pharmacies.
“Their vigilance at the
frontline of import control is indispensable. These products, if allowed in,
could have done incalculable damage to our communities,” she said.
Adeyeye assured that NAFDAC would conduct detailed laboratory
analysis on the seized pharmaceuticals and maintain strict regulatory protocols
across inspection, certification, and distribution.
The Customs Comptroller-General concluded by sending a stern
warning to smuggling networks operating within and around Nigeria’s borders:
“Let it be known — Nigeria’s borders are not open to criminal
enterprise. We will pursue violators with the full weight of the law.”
He added that the service remains fully committed to supporting
President Bola Tinubu’s national security and economic reform agenda by
tightening border controls, deepening inter-agency collaboration, and
maintaining zero tolerance for smuggling.
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