….108 security-sensitive drones, expired products, used clothes intercepted
Daud Olatunji
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 12 containers containing consignments with a combined value of N43.59bn at the Apapa Port in Lagos, including 7,624kg of cannabis, nearly 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 security-sensitive drones.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing at the Apapa Area Command, saying the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing prohibited and dangerous goods from entering the country.
According to him, the cannabis was concealed in three 40-foot containers containing other legitimate-looking consignments.
The seized drugs comprised 15,245 parcels weighing 7,624kg, which Customs said had been hidden among items including vehicle spare parts, food products, batteries and fish.
Adeniyi further disclosed that another container contained 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup, amounting to 169,998 bottles, concealed beneath household items.
The Customs boss said the seizures followed cargo profiling, risk assessment, documentary checks and targeted physical examinations.
He explained that the Service had strengthened collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Office of the National Security Adviser and international security partners to improve detection and interception of prohibited consignments.
Adeniyi also announced the interception of 108 high-definition dual-camera drones in another container.
He said the drones had been subjected to further scrutiny because of their potential security implications, stressing that importers of restricted and security-sensitive equipment must obtain the necessary approvals and provide appropriate documentation before clearance.
“Restricted and security-sensitive equipment requires the appropriate security approvals, end-user certificates and documentation before clearance,” he said.
He warned that consignments imported without the required approvals would be detained.
Expired products intercepted
The operation also uncovered five containers containing expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
Customs said the products were intended for consumption, household use or direct application to the body.
Adeniyi warned that the importation of expired products posed serious health risks, particularly as some of the items were intended for use by children, women and other members of the public.
The Service also intercepted 1,282 bales of used clothing packed in three separate 40-foot containers.
The Comptroller-General said the seizures demonstrated the growing sophistication of criminal networks, which he alleged were increasingly concealing prohibited goods within legitimate consignments and using false declarations to evade detection.
He said Customs had therefore shifted further towards intelligence-based targeting rather than relying predominantly on random physical inspection.
According to him, the B’Odogwu platform had strengthened the Service’s capacity to profile cargo and identify high-risk consignments before physical examination.
Adeniyi also disclosed that the INTERPOL Data Centre established at the Customs headquarters in Abuja had expanded the agency’s access to international security intelligence.
He said the centre provides access to more than 152 international databases and is the eighth INTERPOL data centre on the African continent.
The Customs chief warned importers, clearing agents and other port operators against concealing restricted goods, making false declarations or attempting to import prohibited products into Nigeria.
He, however, said the Service remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade while strengthening controls around high-risk consignments.
Adeniyi urged importers who were uncertain about the admissibility or regulatory requirements for particular goods to seek clarification through the Customs Advance Ruling mechanism before shipping their consignments.
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