The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted a shipment of stolen luxury vehicles from Canada alongside other illicit goods valued at approximately N3.2 billion. This significant bust, announced on Thursday, highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian Customs to combat smuggling and the importation of prohibited items into the country.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, revealed that the operation led to the seizure of two exotic Lexus cars — a 2024 Lexus RX 450 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 — both stolen from Canada. These vehicles were clandestinely shipped in a 40-foot container falsely declared as carrying food items. The container bore registration number MRKU 0904594, but detailed inspections uncovered the illicit cargo.
Olomu explained that the smuggling of stolen vehicles under fake declarations is a recurring challenge in the Nigerian import sector. “When companies or individuals attempt to bring in stolen cars or prohibited goods by misdeclaring their contents, it not only undermines our security but also jeopardizes our economy and local industries,” he stated.
Alongside the luxury cars, the Customs also uncovered six other containers carrying contraband, mostly consisting of unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and used clothing — all prohibited imports under Nigerian law. These items were valued collectively at N3.2 billion.
Among the pharmaceutical products seized were 1,698 bottles of RTPL CSC cough syrup containing codeine, hidden inside 202 packages of water closet equipment, and 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seats. These containers, marked with registration numbers SUDU 8685733 and MRSU 4846204 respectively, have an estimated street value of N2.7 billion.
Further inspection revealed another container falsely declared as carrying truck tires. Instead, it contained 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks cream and 30g Clobetasol cream — substances requiring strict regulatory approval. Additional containers contained unregistered medical drugs such as Rabeprazole for injection, Zahifranil tablets, Vancomycin hydrochloride, and Cyproheptadine with vitamin B complex.
These items were being smuggled without registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), thereby posing serious health risks to the public.
In another significant find, a container (registration SEKU 4716830) contained 390 bales of used clothing, an import strictly prohibited by Nigerian law. The presence of these illegal consignments underscores the persistent threat that smuggling poses to public health and local economies.
Olomu highlighted the role of international cooperation and local intelligence in these successful interceptions. “We collaborated closely with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and international partners to identify and stop these harmful imports,” he noted.
The Customs Service reiterated its dual mandate: facilitating legitimate trade and revenue collection while protecting Nigerians from hazardous and illegal imports. “Our commitment remains firm in preventing ‘merchants of death’ from using our ports as gateways for dangerous products,” Olomu said.
He also emphasized that the seizure aligns with the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV, a global enforcement campaign targeting counterfeit and unauthorized medical supplies.
Following the interception, three suspects linked to the illegal imports have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation, with prosecution expected to follow.
The ongoing crackdown by the Nigeria Customs Service sends a strong message to smugglers and criminals that the country’s borders are being vigilantly monitored to protect the health, safety, and economy of Nigerians.