The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 12 containers containing consignments valued at N43.59 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos State.
The seized items included large quantities of cannabis, codeine syrup, drones, expired products and used clothing.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures during a briefing at the Apapa Area Command.
According to him, officers recovered 15,245 parcels of cannabis weighing 7,624kg from three 40-foot containers. The drugs were allegedly concealed among vehicle spare parts, food products, batteries, fish and other items.
Another container was found to contain 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup, amounting to 169,998 bottles. The consignment was allegedly hidden beneath household goods.
Customs officers also intercepted 108 high-definition dual-camera drones in another container. The equipment was subjected to additional checks because of its potential security implications.
Adeniyi explained that restricted and security-sensitive equipment must have the required approvals, end-user certificates and other documentation before being cleared.
The operation further uncovered five containers containing expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
The Customs chief warned that such expired products could expose consumers to health risks, particularly as some were intended for children, women and other members of the public.
The Service also intercepted 1,282 bales of used clothing packed in three separate 40-foot containers.
Adeniyi said the seizures were achieved through intelligence-led cargo profiling, risk assessment, documentary checks and targeted physical examinations.
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He added that Customs had strengthened cooperation with relevant agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners.
The Customs boss warned importers against concealing prohibited goods, making false declarations or attempting to bring restricted consignments into Nigeria.
He said the Service would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while increasing surveillance and inspection of high-risk shipments at the nation’s ports.
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