Customs foils major health threat, seizes N53.4bn fake, expired medicines at Apapa port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently averted a major public health threat after intercepting fake, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth over N53.39 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure, which also included illicit narcotics, codeine-containing cough syrup and other prohibited substances, prevented potentially dangerous medicines from entering the Nigerian market and reaching unsuspecting patients.

The intercepted products were formally handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Apapa Area Command of the Customs Service for regulatory action, investigation and prosecution.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed the development, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against the circulation of unsafe medicines, counterfeit pharmaceutical products and illicit drugs in the country.

He said the seizure followed months of intelligence gathering, coordinated surveillance, non-intrusive inspection, physical examination and collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies.

According to him, the operation led to the interception of nine containers containing a combination of expired pharmaceuticals, unregistered medicines, counterfeit products and narcotic substances with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53,391,140,029.

Among the pharmaceutical products seized were expired Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxacillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections.

The interception of the expired medicines raises fresh concerns about the activities of criminal networks attempting to introduce substandard and unsafe medical products into the healthcare supply chain, where they could expose patients to treatment failure, complications and avoidable health risks.

Of particular concern to health authorities is the seizure of expired Oxytocin injections, a critical medicine used in maternal healthcare, especially in the prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally.

Customs officers also uncovered counterfeit and unregistered medicines, including 1,100 packages of CHAPCOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing fake NAFDAC registration numbers and falsified import documents.

Adeniyi disclosed that investigations confirmed that the products were never registered by NAFDAC, indicating an organised attempt to smuggle unapproved medicines into the Nigerian pharmaceutical market.

The Customs boss warned that the impact of such illegal activities goes beyond financial losses, noting that fake and expired medicines endanger lives, undermine confidence in the healthcare system and pose serious risks to public health.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he stated.

The operation also uncovered two containers containing 339,800 bottles of Codeine Syrup concealed inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

The seizure comes amid ongoing efforts by health and security agencies to tackle the abuse of codeine-based medicines, which has contributed to the growing challenge of substance abuse among young Nigerians.

In another major discovery, Customs intercepted two 40-foot containers containing 6.77 metric tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud.

The illicit drugs were concealed inside imported vehicles, household items and automobile spare parts in an attempt to evade detection by security officials.

Adeniyi said all narcotic substances recovered during the operation would be transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while expired, fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action and destruction.

He explained that the successful operation reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to strengthening medicine security, protecting citizens from harmful products and preventing criminal networks from exploiting the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

The Customs boss also disclosed that the operation was carried out shortly after the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and aligned with global efforts to combat cross-border organised crime.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller E.O.A. Oshoba, condemned the activities of smugglers, describing fake medicines, expired pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs as threats to both national security and public health. He assured that Apapa Port would not become a safe haven for criminal networks seeking to introduce harmful products into Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), represented by the Assistant Controller-General of Narcotics, Archie Abia Ibinabo, described the seizure as a major victory against transnational organised crime.

Marwa revealed that investigations leading to the interception lasted more than four months and involved the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other international partners.

He explained that one of the cannabis consignments departed Toronto, Canada, on 16 April, passing through Montreal and Morocco before arriving in Nigeria, while another shipment left Montreal on 1 May and moved through several trans-shipment points before it was intercepted at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

According to him, removing more than six metric tonnes of cannabis from circulation has significantly disrupted the activities of drug trafficking organisations targeting Nigerian communities.

He assured that investigations would continue to identify those behind the shipments, prosecute offenders and confiscate assets linked to the criminal operations.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by a director at the agency, Dr Kunle Olaniran, said the collaboration among NAFDAC, Customs, NDLEA and other relevant agencies has remained critical in preventing fake, expired and unregistered medicines from reaching Nigerians.

She urged Nigerians to always verify the NAFDAC registration number on medicine packs before purchase and report suspicious products to the agency. “Always watch out before you buy medicine. Look out for the NAFDAC number. If you see something, say something. Don’t keep quiet”, Dr Olaniran said.