Nigeria Customs boss, CG Wale B Adeniyi (MFR)
The CG of Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has opened up on identified patterns surreptitiously adopted by importers of illicit substances at ports to evade seizures but the eagle-eyes of Customs officers have continued to catch them. The latest seizure was valued well over N921bn.
Speaking at a press conference in Apapa during the display of confiscated items by the Apapa command, he explained that “Upon meticulous analysis of these seizures, the Service has identified several significant patterns that warrant public attention:
The Dangerous But Uncovered Patterns:
- Pattern of Sexual Enhancement Drugs. Five of the eleven seizures involved various forms of sildenafil citrate and related sexual enhancement medications. This is a disturbing trend in the importation of unregulated sexual performance drugs that pose serious health risks, including potential cardiovascular complications and harmful drug interactions when used without proper medical supervision.
- Strategic Misdeclaration Tactics. We have observed a sophisticated pattern of misdeclaration where importers deliberately classify pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics. Container MRSU 3041714 declared sildenafil products as omeprazole capsules, while TCKU 6930113 concealed skin creams as cosmetic powder. This demonstrates calculated attempts to evade regulatory scrutiny.
- Diversification of Contraband Portfolio. The seizures reveal importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios—combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments. This suggests the emergence of organized networks with sophisticated logistics capabilities rather than isolated smuggling attempts.
- Strategic Country of Origin Selection. Analysis reveals a pattern in the selection of countries of origin, with many consignments originating from jurisdictions with less stringent pharmaceutical export controls. This indicates deliberate exploitation of regulatory gaps in the international supply chain.
- Escalation of Non-Pharmaceutical Security Threats. The significant number of drone seizures (113 units across two incidents) without proper end-user certificates represents an emerging security concern beyond traditional contraband. The inclusion of communication devices suggests potential applications beyond recreational use.
- Financial Scale Analysis. The consistent valuation of pharmaceutical containers between ₦140-145 million per 40ft container indicates a standardized commercial operation with established pricing structures, suggesting these are not opportunistic shipments but rather systematic business operations.
