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Customs Intercepts N10bn Worth of Arms and Fake Drugs at Lagos Port
Lagos. Wednesday 13th August 2025.
Maritime Security Alert.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a major blow to maritime smuggling operations with the interception of 16 containers loaded with prohibited items worth an estimated N10 billion at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
The massive seizure, announced by Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi during a media briefing on Monday, represents one of the most significant maritime security operations in recent months, highlighting the ongoing battle against illicit cargo trafficking through Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
Among the discoveries were two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, one Smith & Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, and 202 cans of Colorado Loud — a potent Canadian strain of cannabis weighing a total of 101kg. The weapons and drugs were concealed in a 40-foot container (MRSU6407089) consigned to Lagos-based recipient Mr. Babatunde Ogidiolu.
The container had initially passed primary clearance procedures before a secondary inspection exposed the hidden cargo, raising questions about the sophistication of smuggling operations targeting Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
Beyond the weapons cache, the operation uncovered a broader network of prohibited imports including seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired margarine and food items, and three containers of banned used clothing.
Additional weekend seizures included two 40-foot containers filled with 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry products each, demonstrating the scale of agricultural smuggling through maritime channels. Customs also intercepted 305 cartons of counterfeit toothpaste concealed among beads and jalabiya clothing, with the fake products infringing on Nigerian brand intellectual property and lacking NAFDAC registration.
“We have deployed technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration to maintain a balance across our enforcement mandates,” Adeniyi stated, emphasizing the strategic approach behind the successful operation.
The seizures resulted from coordinated intelligence gathering and joint security operations, with two containers containing codeine-based substances traced through intelligence networks. Investigations revealed that the container owners were linked to previous drug seizures, indicating organized criminal involvement in maritime smuggling.
The operation underscores the critical importance of port security measures and the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s maritime sector. The Lagos Port Complex, as West Africa’s largest port, remains a key target for international smuggling networks attempting to infiltrate the Nigerian market with prohibited goods.
The NCS confirmed that all seized items are now in custody, with ongoing investigations aimed at identifying and prosecuting the individuals behind the smuggling operations. The service has indicated that the results over the past two years justify their enhanced enforcement strategy combining technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration.
This latest seizure reinforces the need for continued vigilance and investment in maritime security infrastructure to protect Nigeria’s waterways from criminal exploitation while ensuring legitimate trade continues to flow through the nation’s ports.
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