Customs Seize Stolen Luxury Cars, N3.2bn Contraband at Apapa Port

Customs Seize Stolen Luxury Cars, N3.2bn Contraband at Apapa Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has announced the seizure of two luxury vehicles stolen from Canada and smuggled into Nigeria, alongside a cache of prohibited goods valued at over N3.2 billion.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed that the two vehicles — a 2024 Lexus RX 450 (Chassis No. JTJCJNGA6R2017707) and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 (Chassis No. 2T2BAMCAPCO32741) — were hidden inside a 40-foot container and falsely declared as food items.

Olomu further revealed the interception of five containers packed with banned items, including used clothing, unregistered cosmetics, and large quantities of Codeine syrup — a substance controlled due to its abuse potential.

“These seizures were the result of meticulous profiling and collaboration with local and international intelligence partners, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he stated.

One of the containers, marked SUDU 8685733, contained 1,698 bottles of Codeine cough syrup concealed in packages labeled as water closet equipment. Another container, MRSU 4846204, had 1,690 cartons of Codeine hidden inside toilet seats. The street value of these pharmaceuticals is estimated at N2.7 billion.

Other seized consignments include:

Container No. ONEU 1153150: 1,584 packs of Globatin anti-marks and Clobetasol cream, falsely declared as truck tyres.

Container No. MRSU 3258823: A variety of unregistered drugs such as Rabeprazole, Zahifranil tablets, Vancomycin hydrochloride, and Cyproheptadine complex, all declared as kitchen wares and furniture.

Container No. SEKU 4716830: 390 bales of used clothing, banned under Nigeria’s import laws.

On the revenue front, Olomu disclosed that the command had already crossed the N1 trillion mark in revenue collection by May 21, 2025 — a feat he described as historic.

“With collections like N18.2 billion in October 2024, N18.9 billion on March 14, and a record N18.919 billion on May 20, we are on course to surpass our 2025 revenue target,” he said.

Olomu emphasized the command’s resolve to make Apapa Port a hostile ground for smugglers and perpetrators of illegitimate trade.

“Our officers remain vigilant and ready to expose concealments and enforce the law through seizures or arrests where necessary,” he warned.

The Customs boss reiterated the service’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from harmful imports while supporting legitimate trade and revenue generation for national development.

By PRNigeria