Nigeria’s Customs Service has intercepted expired pharmaceutical products worth more than 12.7 billion naira (US$8 million) and seized 1.8 tonnes of cannabis in a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing the illegal distribution of harmful goods, officials said.
The seizures were made by the Apapa Area Command in Lagos in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies, according to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman.
Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products allegedly intended for illegal re-labelling and reintroduction into the Nigerian market.
The command said the combined Duty Paid Value of the seized pharmaceuticals stood at 12.78 billion naira ($8 million).
“The attempted importation constitutes a significant act of economic sabotage and poses a serious threat to public health,” Sulaiman said.
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He said the operation was driven by credible intelligence and enhanced risk-profiling systems deployed by the service in coordination with relevant regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
In a separate operation, customs officials also intercepted 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis sativa, preventing the drugs from entering circulation.
The authorities did not immediately disclose the origin of the shipments or whether any arrests had been made.
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Nigeria has intensified efforts to curb the trafficking of illicit drugs and the importation of counterfeit, expired and substandard products, which authorities say pose significant risks to public health and national security.
The Nigeria Customs Service said it would continue working with partner agencies to strengthen border controls and disrupt criminal networks involved in smuggling prohibited goods.
