The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 12 containers carrying cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones, used clothing and expired consumer products with a duty-paid value of N43.6 billion at the Apapa Port, Lagos.

Displaying the seizures at the port yesterday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said they were the outcome of sustained intelligence-led operations involving cargo profiling, documentary scrutiny and targeted examination.

According to him, three of the containers contained 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624 kilogrammes.

Adeniyi said container number HAMU 3086682 contained 4,777 parcels of cannabis weighing 2,388.5kg, alongside assorted automobile spare parts, food items and three vehicles.

Another container, FANU 1933352, contained 8,287 parcels weighing 4,145kg and three vehicles, while MSKU 3941778 had 2,181 parcels weighing 1,090.5kg, alongside foreign parboiled rice, automobile spare parts, lithium batteries and other goods.

The Customs boss said five containers were found to contain expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.

He warned that the importation of expired products posed serious health risks, particularly to children and women.

Adeniyi also disclosed that three containers contained 1,282 bales of used clothing, while officers intercepted container TCKU 7653306 carrying 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup, equivalent to 169,998 bottles.

The drug, he said, was concealed beneath household items.

In another seizure, 108 high-definition dual-camera drones were intercepted in container MSKU 9282528.

Adeniyi said the drones could be used for surveillance, reconnaissance and the delivery of materials, warning that security-sensitive equipment would not be allowed to enter the country without the required approvals and end-user certificates.

He said the narcotics interception was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with intelligence support from international security partners.

According to him, Customs had strengthened cargo profiling and risk assessment to detect illicit goods concealed in legitimate consignments.

He added that the Service had deployed the B’Odogwu platform to improve trade-data analysis and established an Interpol Data Centre at its headquarters in Abuja in July.

Adeniyi handed over the seized narcotics to the NDLEA and the expired products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.

He urged importers to comply with customs regulations and use the Service’s Advance Ruling mechanism when uncertain about the classification, valuation or origin of goods.

The Customs boss warned that no port, border station or logistics channel would be allowed to become a safe haven for operators involved in false declaration, concealment, undervaluation or the importation of prohibited goods.