In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully intercepted 16 containers concealing contraband and falsely declared goods, including unregistered pharmaceuticals valued at an astonishing ₦20.5 billion. This interception is being hailed by officials as one of the largest pharmaceutical seizures in recent years.
The announcement was made on Friday at the Onne Port in Rivers State by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who guided journalists through an inspection of the seized items during a press briefing at the Customs Area 2 Command Headquarters.
Adeniyi revealed that 11 of the containers were packed with dangerous and unregistered drugs, cleverly hidden beneath layers of legitimate consumer goods such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, plumbing materials, and even car parts to evade detection. The illegal haul included over 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 12.6 million tablets of Tapentadol/Tramadol, and various other unregulated prescription medications known for their high potential for abuse.
“This represents a calculated attempt to exploit Nigeria’s trade channels and flood the market with potentially dangerous substances,” Adeniyi cautioned, emphasizing that the public health risks could have been catastrophic.
Intelligence-Led Enforcement
The impressive seizure was made possible through intensified intelligence-led enforcement operations conducted by the Customs in close collaboration with 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.
Supported by the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023, the agency executed targeted interdictions at high-risk corridors and port entrances, culminating in the capture of these 16 containers.
Among the vast array of 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 ingeniously 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 stated. “This level of concealment highlights the growing sophistication of smuggling syndicates.”
A Growing Threat to Public Health and Security
Adeniyi warned that the unchecked circulation of such drugs poses a significant threat, potentially triggering a surge in drug addiction and exacerbating Nigeria’s ongoing public health crisis. He asserted that unregulated pharmaceuticals compromise treatment outcomes and contribute to public safety breakdowns, describing the issue as not merely a health concern but a pressing national security risk.
Commendations from NAFDAC
At the event, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, commended the Customs for their vigilance and termed the seizure a “critical line of defense” against hazardous products entering Nigerian homes and pharmacies. She stressed, “Their frontline vigilance in import control is indispensable. These products, if allowed in, could have caused incalculable damage to our communities.”
Adeyeye assured that NAFDAC will conduct thorough laboratory analyses on the seized pharmaceuticals while upholding stringent regulatory measures across inspection, certification, and distribution channels.
A Stern Warning to Smugglers
Concluding the press briefing, the Customs Comptroller-General issued a stark warning to smuggling networks operating in and around Nigeria’s borders, stating, “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 reaffirmed the service’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s national security and economic reform agenda through enhanced border controls, deepened inter-agency collaboration, and a steadfast zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.