Customs intercept N10bn worth of arms, expired drugs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 16 containers loaded with contraband items, including arms, ammunition, expired pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday in Apapa while displaying the seized items to journalists.

Adeniyi said the duty-paid value of the seizures exceeded ₦10bn, stressing that the imports violated Nigerian laws and endangered public safety.

He explained that a 40-foot container (No. MRSU6407089), initially deemed clean, was later found—after a secondary search with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency—to contain 202 cans (101kg) of Colorado Loud, a Canadian strain of cannabis. Further scanning revealed concealed arms: two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, a Smith & Wesson pistol, 55 rounds of ammunition, and accessories.

Other seizures included:

• Seven containers of expired and prohibited drugs.

• Three containers of expired margarine.

• Three containers of banned used clothing.

• Two containers of codeine syrup linked to previous seizures.

• 1,290 sacks each of frozen poultry in two separate containers.

• 305 cartons of counterfeit toothpaste concealed with beads and jalabiyas, infringing on a Nigerian brand and lacking NAFDAC registration.

• Two containers of expired chest and lung tablets without NAFDAC numbers.

Adeniyi confirmed five arrests, with three suspects already charged and remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending trial next month.

He vowed continued collaboration with local and international agencies to track the importers and ensure Nigeria does not become a dumping ground for illicit goods.