Customs intercepts fake sex enhancers, expired food, drones

 

Maureen Aguta

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of contraband goods worth N921 million  in the first quarter of 2025, comprising of 11 seizures of unregistered pharmaceutical products, expired food items, and controlled technology.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who stated this on Wednesday in Lagos, disclosed that importers of illegal good are diversifying their contraband portfolios, combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments.

He said: “Our seizures today revealed that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios combining pharmaceuticals, food items and control technology in systematic shipments.”

He further disclosed that the Service has documented with concern the increasing sophistication of smuggling tactics targeting our maritime domain, particularly the nation’s premier port facility at Apapa. Intelligence reports indicate an increase in attempts to import prohibited and restricted items through container shipping in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

“Of particular concern is the alarming prevalence of unregistered pharmaceutical products entering our supply chain without requisite regulatory approvals and quality assurance certifications.

“These items constitute a clear danger to public health, with potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality if permitted to infiltrate our domestic markets. The Nigeria Customs Service, in exercise of its statutory mandate, has therefore escalated its risk assessment protocols at all points of entry,” the CGC said.

Implications:

The NCS’s seizure of contraband goods worth N921 million highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between regulatory agencies to protect public health and prevent organized crime.

1. In accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Service’s mandate on public accountability and stakeholder engagement, I hereby convene this press briefing to formally apprise the general public of significant enforcement actions undertaken by the Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
2. Pursuant to the National Strategic Economic Development Plan and the Executive Order on Port Operations, the Service has intensified surveillance across all authorized points of entry, specifically seaports, airports, and approved land borders. This intensification is in direct response to the adaptive methodologies being deployed by transnational criminal networks seeking to compromise our border security architecture and circumvent established import protocols.

BREAK DOWN OF SEIZURES:

2 a. 40 FT container No. CAAU 6514500, contained 891 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products including Redsun Sidenafil Citrate OralJelly (100MG), Anti-douleur Huile (60ML), DR. ICO Cypropheptadine with multivitamine tablet, Samson Oil (2ML), Rocket Sidenafil Citrate (20OMG),DR.ICO Herbal Inhaler and DR.ICO Pain Relief Oil without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value: ₦142,296,505.

224. 40FT Container No. TCNU 6880130, contained 242 cartons of COLCAPS-CHLOROPHENIRAMINE-MALEATECAPSULES (unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. Duty Paid Value:₦140,101,224.The container and its contentshavebeen seized and will be condemned according to extant laws.
225. 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.
226. 40FT container No.UETU6679312, contained 1,400 packages of Original Cheet Chest & longsAL CHEST & LUNGS, VITAPLUS (BIG BOOTYTABLETS), CYPROHIPTADIN WITH B-COMPLEX TABLETS without NAFDAC registration numbers. Duty Paid Value:₦145,023,204.

e.40FT Container No.TCKU6930113, contained 805 packages of Gbogboni 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.

43. 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.
44. 20FT container No. GCNU1372704, 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.
45. 60 Units of Warror 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.

.53Units of different Helicopter drones.These drones

drones  (seizure                No.         NCS/INV/APQ/25/002E OF          29/01/25)            were evacuated from SIFAS for lack of End-user certificate.Duty Paid Value:₦2,139,928.