Customs confiscates N3.4bn codeine syrup at Apapa

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized a massive consignment of codeine syrup valued at N3.398 billion. The seizure, which marks another significant milestone in the Command’s ongoing efforts to combat the smuggling of prohibited items, was made possible through the vigilance and intelligence gathering by officers of the Command. Five […]

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized a massive consignment of codeine syrup valued at N3.398 billion.

The seizure, which marks another significant milestone in the Command’s ongoing efforts to combat the smuggling of prohibited items, was made possible through the vigilance and intelligence gathering by officers of the Command.

Five days ago, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the Command seized a total of 13 containers’ load of expired and falsely declared goods worth N6.381 billion.

The recently seized codeine syrup was concealed in a container declared to contain other items.

However, upon physical examination, the container was found to contain a large quantity of codeine syrup, which is a controlled substance under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulations.

Speaking on the latest interception, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba stated that Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation.

 

 

 

Oshoba explained that in a swift follow-up operation on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted and seized two containers containing a total of 3,398 cartons (339,800 bottles) of Codeine-containing Syrup (CSP Codeine), which he said, were carefully concealed in household utensils at the Apapa Port.

 

 

 

He disclosed that cumulatively the seizures have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.398 billion.

 

 

 

“The details of the seizures are;  a Container No. MRKU 3816476 found to contain 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 38 cartons of pearl plating insulated casserole/5’ Bullet Insulated Hotspot and  Container No. TGBU 5399178 was found to contain 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 36 cartons of pearl plating casserole. Both containers have been converted to seizure in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as amended” he said.

 

 

 

Oshoba further highlighted that the latest interception would serve as a clear demonstration of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the CGC.

 

 

 

“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,” he said.