The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne Port in Rivers State, has intercepted 20 containers loaded with illicit drugs and contraband goods worth more than ₦13.5 billion.
Seventeen of the containers were filled with codeine syrup and tramadol, both substances banned in Nigeria due to their high risk of abuse.
The other three contained machetes, cartons of tomato paste and gallons of vegetable oil.
Customs officials said the shipments originated from India and were concealed with false packaging to evade regulatory checks.
Outgoing Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Babandede, confirmed the seizure during a briefing on Wednesday.
He warned that the influx of restricted medicines fuels addiction and crime.
“Some people take illicit medicines for different reasons without a professional medical prescription. For example, codeine syrup and tramadol might be misused for their euphoric effect or to feel relaxed, which often leads to addiction, dependence and crime,” Babandede said.
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He explained that the action aligns with the federal government’s ban on certain substances to protect citizens from harmful and counterfeit drugs.
He added that investigations are ongoing to uncover those behind the importation.
Babandede, who has been promoted to Assistant Controller-General and redeployed to Zone A, formally handed over the command to Aliyu Alkali.
The new controller pledged to sustain anti-smuggling operations and maintain strong revenue performance.
Customs authorities stressed that the latest seizure demonstrates their resolve to block the inflow of dangerous substances, safeguard public health and curb drug-related crime.