In a major operation at Onne Port, Rivers State, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 16 shipping containers loaded with illegal and falsely declared items worth a staggering ₦20.5 billion. The haul, largely classified as dangerous pharmaceuticals, was revealed during a press briefing at the Customs Area 2 Command Headquarters.
Comptroller‑General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi led journalists through the seized cargo, explaining that 11 of the containers were packed with unregistered drugs concealed under everyday commodities—ranging from ceiling fans and tomato paste to plumbing fixtures and vehicle parts.
Among the illicit drugs recovered were more than 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup and a staggering 12.6 million tablets of Tramadol and Tapentadol, along with several other high‑potency prescription medications.
Citing the operation as one of the largest drug busts in recent memory, Adeniyi warned that, had these pharmaceuticals reached the market, they would have posed a grave threat to public health and national security. He emphasized that the interception was intelligence‑driven, stemming from enhanced enforcement under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and coordinated with agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, praised the Customs’ intervention as a vital defense against toxic imports. She assured that the seized items would undergo laboratory analysis and pledged NAFDAC’s continued vigilance in import inspection and certification processes.
Adeniyi issued a stern warning to smuggling networks: Nigeria’s borders are closed to illicit trade. The Customs Service reaffirms its commitment to supporting national security objectives by bolstering border controls, fostering interagency cooperation, and imposing strict penalties on offenders.
