Customs Seizes ₦921.02m Pharmaceuticals, Expired Margarine Products, Others at Apapa Port
By Francis Ugwoke
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced the seizures of pharmaceuticals and expired margarine products which Duty Paid Value (DPV) was put at N921million.
Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures, including 53 units of helicopter drones and 60 units of warrior drones during a press briefing with newsmen in Lagos.
The seizures were recorded in Apapa port Customs Command between January and April this year as part of the anti-smuggling efforts of the agency in keeping with Section 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and in exercise of powers conferred on it.
The anti-smuggling operations, Adeniyi said, yielded a total of eleven 11 seizures comprising five units of 40-foot containers, two units of 20-foot containers, four additional seizures of loosely concealed contraband items
Part of Adeniyti’s statement during the press briefing reads:
The contraband items fall into three principal categories:
a. Category A. Unregistered pharmaceutical products lacking mandatory NAFDAC registration numbers and certification, a direct contravention of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004 (as amended). These constitute 63.7% of the total seizure value.
b. Category B. Expired food items with compromised safety profiles that pose imminent danger to public health if introduced into the consumer market, in violation of the Food Products (Registration) Regulations and the Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act.
c. Category C. Controlled equipment including drone technology and telecommunications devices imported without requisite
End-User Certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as mandated by the National Security Agencies Act.
BREAKDOWN OF SEIZURES
1. In line with Service procedure, I shall now present the detailed breakdown of these seizures:
a. 40FT Container No. CAAU 6514500. Contained 891 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products including REDSUN SILDENAFIL CITRATE ORAL JELLY (100MG), ANTI-DOULEUR HUILE (60ML), DR. ICO CYPROPHEPTADINE WITH MULTIVITAMIN TABLET, SAMSON OIL (2ML), ROCKET SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLET (20OMG), DR. ICO HERBAL INHALER, and DR. ICO PAIN RELIEF
OIL without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value:
₦142,296,505.
b. 40FT Container No. TCNU 6880130. Contained 242 cartons of COL CAPS-CHLOROPHENIRAMINE-MALEATE CAPSULES
(unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value: ₦140,101,224. The container and its contents have been seized and will be condemned according to extant laws.
c. 40FT Container NO. MRSU 3041714. Contained 1,001 cartons/packages of HYEGRA SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLETS 200mg (unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. These were falsely declared as OMEPRAZOLE CAPSULE. Duty Paid Value: ₦143,234,502. The container has been seized in accordance with section 246(g) of the NCS Act 2023.
d. 40FT Container No. UETU 6679312. Contained 1,400 packages of ORIGINAL CHEST & LUNGS, VITAPLUS (BIG BOOTY TABLETS), CYPROHIPTADIN WITH B-COMPLEX TABLETS without NAFDAC
Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value: ₦145,023,204.
e. 40FT Container no. TCKU 6930113. Contained 805 PACKAGES OF GBOGBONISE SKIN CREAM and 536 PACKAGES OF SKIN
CHEMIST CREAM without NAFDAC Registration numbers, falsely declared as 1,341 packages of cosmetic powder. Duty Paid Value:
₦141,576,012. Both the container and its contents have been seized according to section 246(g) of the NCS Act.
f. 20FT Container no. GCNU 1367992. Contained expired Margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043. The container and expired products have been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May, 2024.
g. 20FT Container no. GCNU 1372704. Contained expired margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043. This container has also been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May 2024.
h. 60 UNITS OF WARRIOR DRONE. These drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/0001E of 16/01/025) were evacuated from container no. MSKU 9329923(40ft) for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value: ₦15,914,681. They have been seized in line with extant laws.
i. 53 UNITS OF DIFFERENT HELICOPTER DRONES.These
drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/002E OF 29/01/25) were evacuated from SIFAX III for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value:
₦2,139,928.
j. 10 PCS OF PROFESSIONAL FM TRANSCEIVER WALKIE-
TALKIE. These communication devices (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/003E of 15/02/25) were evacuated from ENL for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value: ₦520,000.
k. 20ft Container No. SUDU 1408819. Contained 500 packages of ARTE-PHARMARTEQUICK (ARTEMISININ
62.5mg/PIPERAQUANINE 375mg) without NAFDAC Registration
number. Duty Paid Value: ₦70,102,114. The container and its contents have been seized according to extant laws.
ANALYSIS OF SEIZURE PATTERNS
1. Upon meticulous analysis of these seizures, the Service has identified several significant patterns that warrant public attention:
a. Pattern of Sexual Enhancement Drugs. Five of the eleven seizures involved various forms of sildenafil citrate and related sexual enhancement medications. This is a disturbing trend in the importation of unregulated sexual performance drugs that pose serious health risks, including potential cardiovascular complications and harmful drug interactions when used without proper medical supervision.
b. Strategic Misdeclaration Tactics. We have observed a sophisticated pattern of misdeclaration where importers deliberately classify pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics. Container MRSU 3041714 declared sildenafil products as omeprazole capsules, while TCKU 6930113 concealed skin creams as cosmetic powder. This demonstrates calculated attempts to evade regulatory scrutiny.
c. Diversification of Contraband Portfolio. The seizures reveal importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios—combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments. This suggests the emergence of organized networks with sophisticated logistics capabilities rather than isolated smuggling attempts.
d. Strategic Country of Origin Selection. Analysis reveals a pattern in the selection of countries of origin, with many consignments originating from jurisdictions with less stringent pharmaceutical export controls. This indicates deliberate exploitation of regulatory gaps in the international supply chain.
e. Escalation of Non-Pharmaceutical Security Threats. The significant number of drone seizures (113 units across two incidents) without proper end-user certificates represents an emerging security concern beyond traditional contraband. The inclusion of communication devices suggests potential applications beyond recreational use.
f. Financial Scale Analysis. The consistent valuation of pharmaceutical containers between ₦140-145 million per 40ft container indicates a standardized commercial operation with established pricing structures, suggesting these are not opportunistic shipments but rather systematic business operations.
INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION AND OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
2. Reference is hereby made to our ongoing strategic partnerships with critical regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). These formal collaborations operate under established Memoranda of Understanding and joint operational frameworks that have demonstrably enhanced our enforcement capabilities.
3. As documented in our joint operations report of January 2025, the nexus between unregistered pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and national security infrastructure continues to present a multidimensional threat matrix to our sovereignty. The empirical evidence drawn from our intelligence analysis indicates that these contraband items serve dual purposes: primarily as revenue generators for transnational criminal organizations, and secondarily as operational enablers for non-state actors engaging in activities prejudicial to national security.
4. The seizures presented today must be contextualized within our broader enforcement statistics. During Q1 2025, the Service recorded a total of 22 narcotics interceptions with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦730,748,173, representing a 34.6% increase over the corresponding period in 2024. This data
highlights the progressive implementation of our intelligence-led enforcement strategy.
5. I hereby convey formal commendation to all officers and men of the Apapa Port Command who, through their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication to duty, successfully executed these interceptions. Their actions are exemplary the core values of the Service as articulated in our Code of Conduct: integrity, professionalism, and patriotism.
6. It is imperative to re-emphasize that the Nigeria Customs Service shall maintain an uncompromising stance on enforcement of import regulations. We hereby serve notice to all importers, exporters, agents, and other stakeholders within the international trade environment that our intelligence network, technological capabilities, and inter-agency collaborations have been significantly enhanced to detect and intercept prohibited items regardless of concealment methods or documentation subterfuge.
CONCLUSION
7. The Service has documented a concerning trend of increasing sophistication in smuggling techniques, which necessitates corresponding advancement in our enforcement methodologies. Be assured that we shall deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure against the importation of items prejudicial to national security, economic prosperity, and public health.
8. The Service hereby solicits the continued cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring compliance with extant import guidelines. We urge members of the public to utilize our confidential channels for reporting suspicious shipments or import activities. Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks attempting to compromise our borders.
Ends.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced the seizures of pharmaceuticals and expired margarine products which Duty Paid Value (DPV) was put at N921million.
Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures, including 53 units of helicopter drones and 60 units of warrior drones during a press briefing with newsmen in Lagos.
The seizures were recorded in Apapa port Customs Command between January and April this year as part of the anti-smuggling efforts of the agency in keeping with Section 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and in exercise of powers conferred on it.
The anti-smuggling operations, Adeniyi said, yielded a total of eleven 11 seizures comprising five units of 40-foot containers, two units of 20-foot containers, four additional seizures of loosely concealed contraband items
Part of Adeniyti’s statement during the press briefing reads:
The contraband items fall into three principal categories:
a. Category A. Unregistered pharmaceutical products lacking mandatory NAFDAC registration numbers and certification, a direct contravention of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004 (as amended). These constitute 63.7% of the total seizure value.
b. Category B. Expired food items with compromised safety profiles that pose imminent danger to public health if introduced into the consumer market, in violation of the Food Products (Registration) Regulations and the Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act.
c. Category C. Controlled equipment including drone technology and telecommunications devices imported without requisite
End-User Certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as mandated by the National Security Agencies Act.
BREAKDOWN OF SEIZURES
1. In line with Service procedure, I shall now present the detailed breakdown of these seizures:
a. 40FT Container No. CAAU 6514500. Contained 891 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products including REDSUN SILDENAFIL CITRATE ORAL JELLY (100MG), ANTI-DOULEUR HUILE (60ML), DR. ICO CYPROPHEPTADINE WITH MULTIVITAMIN TABLET, SAMSON OIL (2ML), ROCKET SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLET (20OMG), DR. ICO HERBAL INHALER, and DR. ICO PAIN RELIEF
OIL without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value:
₦142,296,505.
b. 40FT Container No. TCNU 6880130. Contained 242 cartons of COL CAPS-CHLOROPHENIRAMINE-MALEATE CAPSULES
(unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value: ₦140,101,224. The container and its contents have been seized and will be condemned according to extant laws.
c. 40FT Container NO. MRSU 3041714. Contained 1,001 cartons/packages of HYEGRA SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLETS 200mg (unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. These were falsely declared as OMEPRAZOLE CAPSULE. Duty Paid Value: ₦143,234,502. The container has been seized in accordance with section 246(g) of the NCS Act 2023.
d. 40FT Container No. UETU 6679312. Contained 1,400 packages of ORIGINAL CHEST & LUNGS, VITAPLUS (BIG BOOTY TABLETS), CYPROHIPTADIN WITH B-COMPLEX TABLETS without NAFDAC
Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value: ₦145,023,204.
e. 40FT Container no. TCKU 6930113. Contained 805 PACKAGES OF GBOGBONISE SKIN CREAM and 536 PACKAGES OF SKIN
CHEMIST CREAM without NAFDAC Registration numbers, falsely declared as 1,341 packages of cosmetic powder. Duty Paid Value:
₦141,576,012. Both the container and its contents have been seized according to section 246(g) of the NCS Act.
f. 20FT Container no. GCNU 1367992. Contained expired Margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043. The container and expired products have been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May, 2024.
g. 20FT Container no. GCNU 1372704. Contained expired margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043. This container has also been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May 2024.
h. 60 UNITS OF WARRIOR DRONE. These drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/0001E of 16/01/025) were evacuated from container no. MSKU 9329923(40ft) for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value: ₦15,914,681. They have been seized in line with extant laws.
i. 53 UNITS OF DIFFERENT HELICOPTER DRONES.These
drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/002E OF 29/01/25) were evacuated from SIFAX III for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value:
₦2,139,928.
j. 10 PCS OF PROFESSIONAL FM TRANSCEIVER WALKIE-
TALKIE. These communication devices (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/003E of 15/02/25) were evacuated from ENL for lack of End-user certificate. Duty Paid Value: ₦520,000.
k. 20ft Container No. SUDU 1408819. Contained 500 packages of ARTE-PHARMARTEQUICK (ARTEMISININ
62.5mg/PIPERAQUANINE 375mg) without NAFDAC Registration
number. Duty Paid Value: ₦70,102,114. The container and its contents have been seized according to extant laws.
ANALYSIS OF SEIZURE PATTERNS
1. Upon meticulous analysis of these seizures, the Service has identified several significant patterns that warrant public attention:
a. Pattern of Sexual Enhancement Drugs. Five of the eleven seizures involved various forms of sildenafil citrate and related sexual enhancement medications. This is a disturbing trend in the importation of unregulated sexual performance drugs that pose serious health risks, including potential cardiovascular complications and harmful drug interactions when used without proper medical supervision.
b. Strategic Misdeclaration Tactics. We have observed a sophisticated pattern of misdeclaration where importers deliberately classify pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics. Container MRSU 3041714 declared sildenafil products as omeprazole capsules, while TCKU 6930113 concealed skin creams as cosmetic powder. This demonstrates calculated attempts to evade regulatory scrutiny.
c. Diversification of Contraband Portfolio. The seizures reveal importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios—combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments. This suggests the emergence of organized networks with sophisticated logistics capabilities rather than isolated smuggling attempts.
d. Strategic Country of Origin Selection. Analysis reveals a pattern in the selection of countries of origin, with many consignments originating from jurisdictions with less stringent pharmaceutical export controls. This indicates deliberate exploitation of regulatory gaps in the international supply chain.
e. Escalation of Non-Pharmaceutical Security Threats. The significant number of drone seizures (113 units across two incidents) without proper end-user certificates represents an emerging security concern beyond traditional contraband. The inclusion of communication devices suggests potential applications beyond recreational use.
f. Financial Scale Analysis. The consistent valuation of pharmaceutical containers between ₦140-145 million per 40ft container indicates a standardized commercial operation with established pricing structures, suggesting these are not opportunistic shipments but rather systematic business operations.
INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION AND OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
2. Reference is hereby made to our ongoing strategic partnerships with critical regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). These formal collaborations operate under established Memoranda of Understanding and joint operational frameworks that have demonstrably enhanced our enforcement capabilities.
3. As documented in our joint operations report of January 2025, the nexus between unregistered pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and national security infrastructure continues to present a multidimensional threat matrix to our sovereignty. The empirical evidence drawn from our intelligence analysis indicates that these contraband items serve dual purposes: primarily as revenue generators for transnational criminal organizations, and secondarily as operational enablers for non-state actors engaging in activities prejudicial to national security.
4. The seizures presented today must be contextualized within our broader enforcement statistics. During Q1 2025, the Service recorded a total of 22 narcotics interceptions with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦730,748,173, representing a 34.6% increase over the corresponding period in 2024. This data
highlights the progressive implementation of our intelligence-led enforcement strategy.
5. I hereby convey formal commendation to all officers and men of the Apapa Port Command who, through their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication to duty, successfully executed these interceptions. Their actions are exemplary the core values of the Service as articulated in our Code of Conduct: integrity, professionalism, and patriotism.
6. It is imperative to re-emphasize that the Nigeria Customs Service shall maintain an uncompromising stance on enforcement of import regulations. We hereby serve notice to all importers, exporters, agents, and other stakeholders within the international trade environment that our intelligence network, technological capabilities, and inter-agency collaborations have been significantly enhanced to detect and intercept prohibited items regardless of concealment methods or documentation subterfuge.
CONCLUSION
7. The Service has documented a concerning trend of increasing sophistication in smuggling techniques, which necessitates corresponding advancement in our enforcement methodologies. Be assured that we shall deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure against the importation of items prejudicial to national security, economic prosperity, and public health.
8. The Service hereby solicits the continued cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring compliance with extant import guidelines. We urge members of the public to utilize our confidential channels for reporting suspicious shipments or import activities. Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks attempting to compromise our borders.
Ends.
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