Customs Seizes ₦921bn in Expired Food, Illegal Drugs, and Drones

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted expired food items, illegal drugs, and restricted security equipment valued at over ₦921 billion at Apapa Port, Lagos.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the development during a press briefing, stating that the seizures were made in 11 separate operations between January and April 2025.

Among the confiscated goods were five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and four other cases involving smuggled items concealed in deceptive ways.

Adeniyi raised serious concerns over the rising influx of unregistered pharmaceuticals and restricted items like drones and telecom devices, which he described as threats to public health and national security.

Some of the notable seizures included: 

• 89 cartons of unregistered medicines in container CAAU6514500

• 242 cartons in TCNU6880130

• 1,001 cartons of hydra-sildenafil citrate tablets in MRSU3041714

• 1,400 packages of various unregistered drugs in another 40-foot container

• 805 misdeclared packages labelled as cosmetic powder

Expired margarine was also found in two 20-foot containers (GCNU1367992 and GCNU1372704). Additionally, security-related items seized included: 

• 60 warrior drones worth ₦15.9 million (MSKU9329923)

• 53 helicopter drones valued at ₦2.1 million (CFAX3)

• 10 walkie-talkies and 500 packs of uncertified active medicine tablets

Adeniyi outlined five alarming smuggling trends: 

• Increased importation of sexual enhancement drugs

• False labelling of pharmaceuticals as cosmetics

• Mixing of various illegal items in single containers

• Weak export controls from source countries

• Spike in restricted security gadget imports

He warned that the uncontrolled use of sexual enhancement drugs, especially without medical oversight, could pose severe cardiovascular risks.

On a related note, he discussed the ongoing rollout of the Customs' new digital platform, B’Odogwu, at PTML and Tin Can Island ports. He acknowledged some user challenges but assured that the agency is working with stakeholders to improve the system.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Customs recorded 22 drug-related seizures worth ₦730 billion — a 34.6% increase from Q1 2024. Adeniyi commended the Apapa Command and urged importers to comply with legal trade procedures. He also ordered restricted access to the area where the pharmaceutical containers were stored, citing safety concerns.