The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted consignments containing cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones, expired consumer products and other prohibited goods with a combined duty paid value (DPV) of N43.6 billion.
The seizures were displayed at the Apapa Port yesterday by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, who said they were the outcome of sustained intelligence-led operations involving cargo profiling, documentary scrutiny and targeted examination.
Adeniyi said three containers were found to contain a total of 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624 kilogrammes.
According to him, one of the containers, numbered HAMU 3086682, contained 4,777 parcels of cannabis weighing 2,388.5kg, alongside assorted automobile spare parts, food items and three vehicles.
He said another container, FANU 1933352, contained 8,287 parcels of cannabis weighing 4,145kg and three vehicles, while the third container, MSKU 3941778, contained 2,181 parcels weighing 1,090.5kg, in addition to foreign parboiled rice, automobile spare parts, lithium batteries and other goods.
The Customs chief also disclosed that officers intercepted five containers loaded with expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
He warned that the importation of expired products posed significant risks to consumers, particularly children and women.
Adeniyi said three other containers contained 1,282 bales of used clothing, while the expired products formed part of other prohibited consignments intercepted by the command.
He further disclosed that officers intercepted container TCKU 7653306 containing 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup, equivalent to 169,998 bottles.
The codeine syrup, he said, was concealed beneath household items in an attempt to evade detection.
Also intercepted were 108 high-definition dual-camera drones found in container MSKU 9282528.
According to Adeniyi, the drones could be used for surveillance, reconnaissance and the delivery of materials in the wrong hands, making their unauthorised importation a national security concern.
He warned that the nation’s ports would not be allowed to become channels for transferring capabilities to groups working against national security.
The Customs boss urged importers of security-sensitive equipment to obtain the appropriate approvals and end-user certificates before attempting to bring such items into the country.
He said the interception of the cannabis consignments was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with intelligence support from international security partners.
Adeniyi said the NCS had strengthened cargo profiling and risk assessment to identify illicit goods concealed in otherwise legitimate consignments.
He added that the Service had deployed the B’Odogwu platform to enhance the use of trade data in risk assessment, while an INTERPOL Data Centre was established at its headquarters in Abuja in July.
The seized narcotics were handed over to the NDLEA, while the other intercepted products were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.
Adeniyi said the NCS would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while intensifying scrutiny of consignments, transactions and operators presenting identifiable risks.
He urged importers to comply with customs regulations and advised those uncertain about the classification, valuation or origin of their products to use the Service’s Advance Ruling mechanism before shipment.
The Comptroller-General commended officers of the Apapa Area Command, as well as personnel of the NDLEA, NAFDAC and international security partners, for their collaboration in the interceptions.
He warned importers and operators involved in false declaration, concealment, undervaluation or the importation of prohibited goods that no port, border station or logistics channel would be allowed to serve as a safe haven.