The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a massive consignment of illicit pharmaceutical drugs valued at over ₦20 billion at the Onne Port in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made the disclosure on Friday during a press briefing at the Port Harcourt Area II Command of the NCS, describing the seizure as one of the most significant anti-smuggling operations in recent times.
According to Adeniyi, 16 containers were intercepted, 11 of which were laden with various categories of hard drugs cleverly concealed beneath legitimate consumer goods, including ceiling fans, plumbing materials, and tomato paste.
“The Command has successfully intercepted a total of sixteen containers with an aggregate Duty Paid Value of ₦20,549,998,200,” the CGC stated, adding that the illicit items were concealed “to exploit legitimate trade channels and evade regulatory scrutiny.”
Breakdown of Seized Items
Among the confiscated pharmaceuticals were:
1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each)
9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac
12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg each)
3,500,000 tablets of Trodol (5mg each)
210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg each)
17,360 tablets of Bisoveu g
2,200,000 tablets of Bassuka (50mg each)
These substances were hidden among 9,280 pieces of chilly cutters, 118 ceiling fans, 2,610 plumbing items, 2,268 pieces of vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, and 700 cartons of cosmetic creams.
Adeniyi warned that the unauthorized entry of such pharmaceuticals posed grave risks to public health, including drug addiction, failed treatment outcomes, and the proliferation of organized criminal activities.
“Unregulated pharmaceutical products pose severe risks… and threaten community safety and national stability,” he cautioned.
Crackdown on Transnational Crime
The Customs Boss emphasized that the seizure aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to tackle transnational organized crime and safeguard the nation’s borders.
“Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to a zero-tolerance approach against smuggling. We are deploying intelligence-led enforcement with a sharp focus on high-risk corridors and ports of entry,” Adeniyi said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration and public accountability, noting that the operation was conducted in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Collaboration Yields Results
Speaking earlier, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, who heads the Port Harcourt Area II Command, credited the success of the operation to the synergy between the Customs Service and other security agencies.
“We intercepted 11 40-foot containers of illicit drugs, four 20-foot containers of prohibited tomato paste, and one 40-foot container of assorted goods,” Babandede said.
He added that the bust was made possible by the CGC’s directive on enhancing collaboration, consolidation, and innovation across all commands.
A Clear Warning
The CGC issued a stern warning to criminal networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s ports for illegal activities.
“We shall deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure. The full weight of the law awaits all perpetrators,” he declared.
The Nigeria Customs Service continues to reinforce its role in safeguarding the nation’s health, security, and economy through robust border management and sustained enforcement operations.
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