The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 3,398 cartons of codeine syrup valued at N3.39 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.
The disclosure was made by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Isa Sulaiman, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, where he quoted the Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba, as saying the interception occurred during a follow-up operation on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
The command noted that the seizure came shortly after the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, visited the Apapa Command and issued a strong warning to criminal elements operating through the port.
The NCS said the interception highlights its intensified crackdown on smuggling activities and its commitment to enforcing regulations at the nation’s busiest port.
He added that the operation reflects the command’s alignment with the broader enforcement strategy of the service.
Providing further details, Oshoba explained that the interception was carried out through intelligence-led efforts and in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He noted that the command remains resolute in its efforts to rid the port of illicit trade.
Oshoba also commended the NDLEA for its support, describing the collaboration as critical to the success of the operation.
The latest interception occurred less than a week after the NCS announced the seizure of 13 containers loaded with expired drugs, food items, and restricted security equipment worth N6.38 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos.
The earlier operation uncovered a range of expired pharmaceutical products, including cold medications and anti-malaria treatments, alongside other drugs such as painkillers and antibiotics. Officers also discovered significant quantities of sexual enhancement drugs and about 800 cartons of codeine syrup hidden inside toilet fixtures and sanitary fittings.
Nigerian authorities have intensified efforts to curb the influx of illicit drugs and prohibited goods through ports and border routes in recent months.
In another major crackdown between November 19 and 20, 2025, NDLEA operatives dismantled a large opioid distribution network in Lagos, recovering tramadol pills and codeine syrups estimated at N6.7 billion from a residential estate in the Isolo area.