The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 13 containers of expired drugs, food items and restricted security equipment valued at N6.38 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at APM Terminals.

Adeniyi said the seizures followed intensified intelligence-led operations, including the use of cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examination of suspicious consignments.

He explained that the operation uncovered a wide range of prohibited and falsely declared items, including pharmaceuticals, codeine-based products, expired food items, restricted security equipment and cannabis concealed in imported cargo.

According to him, smugglers hid some of the items inside household goods and sanitary ware to evade detection.

“The importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health,” Adeniyi said, adding that the concealment of codeine products was a deliberate attempt to fuel substance abuse.

Among the seized items were expired pharmaceutical products such as Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections and diclofenac tablets. Officers also intercepted large consignments of Hyegra 200, Sildenafil Citrate and 800 cartons of codeine hidden inside toilet cisterns and sanitary ware.

Other discoveries included restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches, as well as expired food items including muffin cookie biscuits and about 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks.

Further inspection revealed 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks and another 1,575 cartons hidden among electric kettles. Officers also seized 13 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 347.57 kilograms concealed in a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Adeniyi warned smugglers against using Apapa Port for illegal trade, stating that enforcement operations at the facility have been strengthened.

“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” he said.