A synergy of the Nigeria Customs’ officers with those of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Apapa Premier Port, Lagos, results in the interception of Codeine Syrup worth N3.398 billion
By Innocent Chukwu
In a daring move that continues to rattle die-hard smugglers in the country barely five days after the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi visited the Apapa Port and declared that it was no longer a playground for smugglers and other criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation, Customs officers at the Apapa Area 1 Command, Lagos, have recorded yet another significant breakthrough in the war against smuggling.
Following the CGC’s declaration, officers of the NCS at the Apapa Area 1 Command, in a joint operation on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted and seized two smuggled containers laden with a total of 3,398 cartons Codeine Syrup containing 339,800 bottles of CSP Codeine carefully concealed in household utensils at the Apapa Port.
Cummulatively, the seizures have a Duty Paid Value, DPV of Three Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Million Naira (₦3,398,000,000.00) only. The details of the seizures are; a Container No. MRKU 3816476 found to contain 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 38 cartons of pearl plating insulated casserole/5′ Bullet Insulated Hotspot and Container No. TGBU 5399178 was found to contain 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 36 cartons of pearl plating casserole. Both containers have been converted to seizure in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as amended.
Speaking on the latest interception, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba said the seizure serves as a clear demonstration of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the CGC. “This fresh seizure, coming just Five (5) days after the CGC’s visit and strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge on us. We are fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers”, he stated.
He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for its seamless collaboration and unwavering support in the successful operation.
Comptroller Oshoba maintained that the Apapa Area Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect public health, safeguard national security and facilitate only legitimate trade, in line with the CGC’s renewed emphasis on technology-driven operations and zero tolerance for smuggling activities.
