The discovery was made at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) in Lagos, where customs officers identified two 40-foot containers, marked HLBU 1067338 and HLBU 2239792, packed with drugs that had already passed their expiration dates. Authorities estimate the Duty Paid Value of the cargo at about ₦130 million.
Comptroller Eghosa Edelduok, the KLT Area Controller, said the operation was part of broader enforcement measures under the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023, which strengthened penalties for illegal imports. “These expired pharmaceutical products pose significant risks to public health,” Edelduok told reporters. “The Command remains committed to ensuring that only safe and legal goods enter Nigeria through this terminal.”
Customs officials handed over the seized containers to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which will lead further investigation and determine possible prosecution. The NDLEA, which oversees drug-related enforcement nationwide, is expected to trace the source of the shipment and identify those behind the importation.
The seizure comes at a time of increased scrutiny over Nigeria’s porous borders and ports, where expired goods and counterfeit medicines often find their way into the domestic market. Health experts warn that the circulation of such products not only undermines treatment outcomes but also contributes to drug resistance and avoidable fatalities.
In addition to enforcement, Edelduok reported a sharp increase in revenue collection at the terminal. From January to June this year, the command generated ₦89.2 billion, compared with ₦54.8 billion during the same period in 2024 — a 63 percent rise. Officials attributed the growth to stricter monitoring systems and closer collaboration with other security agencies.
The Customs Service has in recent months stepped up public disclosures about seizures, a move analysts say is aimed at both deterring smugglers and reassuring the public that regulatory agencies are working to protect consumers. But critics argue that prosecutions rarely follow these announcements, allowing offenders to re-enter the market undeterred.
For now, attention shifts to the NDLEA, which faces mounting pressure to pursue the case to conclusion and ensure accountability in a country where expired and counterfeit medicines continue to threaten public health.
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