According to the command, the codeine was carefully concealed inside household items such as casserole dishes to avoid detection. The seized items have an estimated Duty Paid Value of N3.398 billion.

The operation, carried out on March 15, 2026, was done in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Customs officials said one of the containers held 1,700 cartons of codeine hidden among insulated kitchen items, while the second container contained 1,698 cartons concealed in similar goods.

Authorities confirmed that both containers have been officially seized in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

The interception comes just days after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, visited Apapa Port and warned that the port would no longer be used for smuggling activities.

Speaking on the operation, the Controller of the Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, said the seizure shows the command’s commitment to cracking down on illegal trade.

He added that the command is following an intelligence-driven strategy and will continue to make the port difficult for smugglers and drug traffickers.

Oshoba also praised the NDLEA for its support, noting that the collaboration played a key role in the success of the operation.

Customs officials say they remain focused on protecting public health, improving security, and ensuring that only legitimate trade passes through the port.