Customs seizes four containers of illegal drugs in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) thwarted an attempt by a smuggling syndicate to bring illicit drugs valued at N1.183 billion into the country via four 40-foot containers through Apapa Port, Lagos.

According to a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Usman Abubakar, three of the containers were intercepted at AP Moller Terminal, while the fourth container, containing 236,783 bottles of cough syrup packed in 2,174 cartons, was seized at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

Customs Area Controller Comptroller Babatunde Olomu provided details on the seizures, describing them as a result of the agency’s zero tolerance for smuggling. He noted that on October 11, 2024, officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup, containing 34,800 expired bottles packed in 174 cartons, during a joint examination of container number MRKU0377493.

On the same day, another 1×40 container (TGBU8886020) was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in 100 cartons. Additional discoveries on October 15 included a container at APMT Terminal containing 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup and another at Kachicares Resources Terminal with 1,584 cartons of cough syrup, as well as 83 loose bottles.

Olomu reiterated that while Apapa Command is committed to facilitating seamless trade, it remains steadfast in enforcing anti-smuggling measures and revenue collection.