Customs seize N10bn worth of contraband, arms, drugs at Lagos Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently intercepted 16 containers containing prohibited items, including firearms, ammunition, military equipment, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, with an estimated value of N10 billion at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) in Apapa.

During a press briefing in Lagos, Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi reported that the seizures included two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges of ammunition, and 202 cans of Colorado Loud, a cannabis strain originating from Canada, which were concealed within a 40-foot container identified by the document number MRSU6407089.

This particular container was consigned to Mr. Babatunde Ogidiolu, linked to a Lagos address.

Adeniyi clarified that the container had initially received clearance as compliant; however, a subsequent search conducted by joint security agencies revealed the concealed illegal items. Each can of Colorado Loud weighed 500 grams, culminating in a total weight of 101 kilograms, roughly equivalent to two bags of cement.

He also noted that intelligence reports suggested the potential presence of additional contraband within the confiscated containers, thereby leading to directives for comprehensive scanning to uncover all hidden items.

“And when this was done, arms and ammunition were discovered inside the container. Two pump-action rifles and 25 cartridges of ammunition were discovered. Also discovered was one Smith & Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, one blank, and a number of accessories.

“This container had Mr. Babatunde Ogidiolu of an address in Lagos as the consignee of these products. Other seizures include that of seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.”

Over the weekend, Adeniyi disclosed, “we also launched an operation through the customs area where one container, one by 40-footer container, number OERU4243517, was seized.

“And it contained 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry products. Another container, FBIU5507953, a 40-footer container, also had 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken. Another interesting seizure has to do with an importation that has infringed intellectual property rights.

“It was established that this container, number ZZSU7277511, had 305 cartons of toothpaste that were concealed with beads and a Jalabiya dress. This particular seizure also underscores what customs does with other agencies of government regarding the enforcement of branch rules. It was a case of infringement of a brand owned by a Nigerian company. Because these products were also not registered by NAFDAC, in addition to the brand infringement, they are subject to seizure.

“Two other containers of expired chest and lung tablets without NAFDAC registration number were also seized. And as we were putting together this press briefing, two containers that we have followed over a period of time from our partners arrived at our ports yesterday.

And true to the information that we received, he said, “These two containers, 40-foot containers, contained codeine. These two containers have also been seized. And the information that we had on these containers is linking the owners to those of the previous ones that we have made.”

The Service, he added, has “therefore deployed tools, technology, and intelligence to help us to strike a delicate balance between and among all these mandates. In doing so, we have found ourselves working on some tightropes to ensure that we do not give attention to one and allow another one to suffer. The results that we have gotten in the last two years have justified the fact that we are doing our best in striking a healthy balance,” Adeniyi said.