Apapa Customs Intercepts Narcotics, Drones, Expired Goods Worth ₦43.59bn
By Chibuzo Obidike
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Area Command has intercepted 13 containers containing narcotics, codeine syrup, restricted drones, used clothing and expired consumer products with a combined value of ₦43.59 billion.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Thursday, September 10, 2026, while briefing journalists at APM Terminals, Apapa. He said the seizures followed intelligence led operations, cargo profiling, documentary checks and targeted physical examinations by Customs officers.
Giving details of the interceptions, Adeniyi said three containers contained 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624 kilogrammes, while another held 1,700 cartons containing 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup concealed beneath household items. Customs also intercepted 108 high definition dual camera drones that allegedly arrived without the required security approvals and end user certificates.
Adeniyi warned that Apapa Port would not be allowed to become a channel for security threats, stressing that security sensitive equipment must meet all documentation requirements before clearance. He also said three containers carried 1,282 bales of used clothing, while five others contained expired tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies, which he said posed serious health risks.
The CGC said the seized items would be handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation and commended the Apapa Area Command, NDLEA, NAFDAC, ONSA and international partners for their cooperation. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the seizures demonstrated the Command’s commitment to intelligence led enforcement while supporting legitimate trade.
