The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted two containers loaded with codeine-containing syrup valued at ₦3.398 billion at the Apapa Port.
The seizure was carried out in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
According to the command, the containers contained a total of 3,398 cartons equivalent to 339,800 bottles of codeine-containing syrup carefully concealed inside household utensils.
The interception was coming barely five days after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, visited the port and warned that the facility would no longer serve as a safe haven for smugglers and criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation.
Providing details of the seizure, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said Container No. MRKU 3816476 contained 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of the codeine syrup concealed among 38 cartons of pearl-plated insulated casserole and five bullet insulated hotspots.
He added that Container No. TGBU 5399178 contained 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of the substance hidden among 36 cartons of pearl-plated casserole.
Oshoba said the seizures have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,398,000,000 and have been officially converted to seizure in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He said the interception demonstrated the command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the Comptroller-General.
“This fresh seizure, coming just five days after the CGC’s visit and strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge on us. We are fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers,” Oshoba said.
The Customs Area Controller also commended the NDLEA for its collaboration and support which contributed to the successful operation.
He reaffirmed that the Apapa Area Command remains committed to protecting public health, safeguarding national security and facilitating legitimate trade through strict enforcement and technology-driven operations.
