Customs Seizes N12.7 bn Worth of Expired Drugs and 1.8 Tonnes of Cannabis in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, seized expired pharmaceuticals valued at more than ₦12.7 billion and a sizable shipment of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) weighing roughly 1.8 tonnes during intelligence‑driven operations in Lagos.

The Command stated that the illicit items were prevented from entering the Nigerian market through joint efforts with partner security agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other regulatory bodies.

The information was released in a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC Isah Sulaiman.

The statement noted that the seizures were made possible by reliable intelligence and enhanced risk‑profiling systems.

He added that the operations were meticulously planned and carried out through intelligence sharing and cooperation with relevant agencies.

During one major seizure, Command officers seized a 40‑foot container (No. CAAU7569127) that contained a large amount of Cannabis Sativa, also referred to as “Canadian Loud.”

The Command reported that 3,639 sachets were recovered from the container, each weighing 500 grams, for an estimated total of about 1,819 kg (approximately 1.81 tonnes).

Preliminary field tests confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa. The drugs had been concealed in a black Toyota Nissan, a Toyota Sienna, and in bags and drums packed inside the container.

In a separate operation, the Command seized two 40‑foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products that were reportedly intended for illegal relabelling and re‑entry into the Nigerian market.

The Command stated that the combined Duty Paid Value of the expired drugs was ₦12,784,479,341.72, describing the attempted importation as economic sabotage and a serious threat to public health.

Speaking about the seizures, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba issued a stern warning to those engaged in smuggling, urging them to desist from such activities.

Unpatriotic importers and their collaborators who deliberately engage in smuggling, drug trafficking, and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals are enemies of Nigeria’s progress.

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