Customs
Apapa Customs intercepts new variant of Tramadol worth N1.4billion from India
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has made a spectacular seizure of a deadlier new variant of Tramadol called Trapaking tablets which has a higher potency than normal Tramadol.
The interception and seizure made at the Classic marine bonded terminal, Ago Palace Way, Festac, Lagos, exposed the novel way the importers of these illicit drugs now use to bring in the prohibited item.
Briefing journalists Thursday at the place of seizure, the Area Controller of Apapa Customs command, Comptroller Ibrahim Malanta Yusuf, said the seised drug, imported from India, is three times deadlier than the normal tramadol.
According to him, the new variant of the drug was in 20 cartons of 225mg of 838,500 tablets and 90,000 of 120mg tablets.
The street value of the seized item was put at N1.400billio billion with each cartoon worth about N70million.
While showcasing the drugs concealed in jumbled cartoons of candies and bubble gums in a 40-footed container, Comptroller Yusuf said the consignment came in from India but was intercepted through intelligence and collaborative efforts of his officers and other sister security agencies.
He revealed that the Customs operatives have been trailing the illicit cargo since it came into the port on July 3rd, 2022 as the importer, who initially abandoned it, was buying time and delaying its declaration in order to throw off the officers from its trail.
When the importer was then ready to take it out of the port, he made two false declarations of spare parts on item one and another declaration of chocolates on item two.
Comptroller Yusuf said an investigation is in top gear as the Customs and other relevant agencies have substantial information and evidence to track down the importer.
“The importer was trying to buy time to see whether he can undermine our officers but we are really on top of our game and we will continue to be on top of our game. If the importer is not tired of losing his investments, we too will not be tired of making him lose his investments and ensure that he is tried and brought to book.
“The importer made two declarations. He made a declaration of spare parts on item one and chocolate on item 2 but he didn’t make the declaration on the drugs.
“He cleverly concealed these drugs at the back end of the container just to undermine our operatives. We searched the container and we found out there are 20 cartons of these drugs.
“These drugs are deadlier than the normal tramadol and you can imagine the kind of havoc it could cause if it enters society.
“Most of the criminal actions taking place today in our society are with the aid of these kinds of drugs.”
Malanta commended operatives of the command resident at the terminal for the seizure, adding that the collaborative efforts between the Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NAFDAC) are yielding positive results.
“We have talked about our layers of control architectures and apart from the collaboration and intelligence received, This is purely the work of operatives here in this command.
“The joint operation with the NDLEA and other security agencies has also yielded good results in the command and we will continue to do that to make the port a safe and secure environment for compliant traders and for goods that are in tandem with Customs and Excise Management Act.
“We thank God who gave us the wisdom to track and seize these drugs because it contravenes sections 46 and 47 of the CEMA Act.
“I’m advising importers to desist from this kind of importation because it is harmful to our health. We will trail the importer with the support of our officers and other security agencies and bring the importer to book,” he said.
“The CGC has initiated the e- Customs modernisation – that is complete automation of Customs business processes which begins even from the port of loading to the port of origin where e-manifest will be x-rayed right in the port of loading before it comes to a port of destination and that will show the content of cargo there.
“We believe that with the introduction of the application, illicit drugs and other contraband will be tracked.
“We will soon start pre-scanning operations where even containers going to off-dock terminals will be scanned and remote images will be analysed, stored and anytime the importer/ agent makes a declaration, the declaration will reveal the kind of item in the system.
“With this kind of automation and trade facilitation apparatus, we will make sure things fall in the right place.
The Commander, NDLEA, Apapa Area Special Command, Ishiaku Yusuf Kwajaffa, said this is the first time the agency is coming across the new variant of tramadol which potency is three times higher than tramadol.
“This is a new variant of tramadol and this is the first time we are coming across this particular one called tapentadol.
“If you look at this capsule critically, you will see it is written 120mg but it is just a cover. The actual potency of the drug is three times higher than the normal tramadol,”
He, however, said the agency with the collaboration of the Customs will continue to make the importation of these illicit drugs very risky and warned the perpetrators to desist from trading in them, advising them to instead embrace legitimate trade.
Customs
Customs, NDLEA bust major drug syndicate, seize 9 containers of illicit goods worth N53.39 Billion at Apapa port
Funso OLOJO and Gloria Odion
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit trade with the interception of nine containers laden with narcotics, expired pharmaceutical products and falsified medicines valued at N53.391 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
Speaking during the unveiling of the seizures on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology.
According to Adeniyi, the containers, which initially appeared to contain legitimate imports, were subjected to detailed intelligence analysis and verification that exposed sophisticated concealment methods used by the syndicate.
The seizures comprised:
A 40-foot container (CAAU7569127) containing 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
Another 40-foot container (HAMU3246311) conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden with two imported vehicles and household items.
A 40-foot container (MRKU3816476) loaded with 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.
Another container (TGBU5399178) containing 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, hidden inside 36 cartons of casserole products.
Container HASU4519480 carrying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol (Timakadol).
Container MRKU4961275 containing 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).
Container PCIU8771576 conveying expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.
A 20-foot container (MRKU6964435) loaded with Piccan Teething Powder.
Container TCKU7000791 carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028.
Adeniyi explained that the narcotic consignments would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the expired and falsified pharmaceutical products would be transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation, regulatory action and safe disposal.
“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
“Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
“The remaining goods shall remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law,” the CGC stated.
He stressed that the seizures represented far more than their monetary value.
“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication, while also praising the sustained collaboration among the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.
“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation.
“Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country,” he added.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed that the interception of 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud was the outcome of a painstaking intelligence-driven operation undertaken by the agency’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
According to Marwa, intelligence gathering and surveillance lasted for more than four months before the containers were intercepted.
“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.
The operation underscores the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and international intelligence sharing in disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and preventing dangerous narcotics and counterfeit medicines from reaching the Nigerian market.
Customs
Wale Adeniyi, CGC, bags one-year tenure extension as WCO Council Chairman
Funso OLOJO, Editor
Few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, by an additional six months, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has also renewed his tenure as Chairman of its Council for another one year.
The decision was unanimously endorsed by member countries during the 147th and 148th sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium, reaffirming the confidence of the global customs community in Adeniyi’s leadership.
Addressing members of the NCS management team who gave him a rousing welcome on his return to Nigeria on Monday, June 29, 2026, Adeniyi revealed that he had travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate.
“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
Adeniyi made history in June 2025 when he became the first Nigerian to be elected Chairman of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body of the global customs organisation.
The renewal of his international mandate comes just days after President Tinubu approved a six-month extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs, a development widely seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership, reform initiatives and outstanding performance both nationally and internationally.
In recognition of the milestone, the NCS management team presented the Comptroller-General with a symbolic souvenir to celebrate his exemplary leadership and contributions to the transformation of the Service.
Responding to the gesture, Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the management team for their unwavering support, describing the honour as a reflection of the unity, professionalism and shared commitment that exist within the Nigeria Customs Service.
The renewed confidence reposed in him by both the Federal Government and the international customs community is expected to further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reform agenda, deepen global partnerships, enhance trade facilitation and reinforce Nigeria’s growing influence in international customs administration.
Customs
Wale Adeniyi,CGC, bags tenure extension as WCO Chairman
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