The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi today showcased 12 containers of controlled drugs worth N1.8 billion seized by the Apapa Port Command of the service.
The drugs were intercepted and seized by officers of the Apapa command for several offences including failure by the importers to obtain required documents, false declaration, expiration and outright ban.
Adeniyi while commending the Controller of Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu for the seizures, said the customs is committed to stopping all forms of unlawful importation and export activities
The CGC who did not disclose the countries of origin of the seized containers, told reporters that they are all not from one country and that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures
He added that the NCS will continually protect the well-being of Nigerians and all persons resident within the country by preventing the importation of anything capable of undermining their security and safety.
Adeniyi said: “Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. Allow me to explain that these items, if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol.
“Aside from being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. We also have containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling. In total, 12 containers have been seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.”
“One of the seized containers, a 40ft container with box number SEGU4339917, was declared to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium, diclofenac sodium topical gel, valsartan tablets, losartan potassium, and timolol maleate.
“Upon examination, the container was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year; acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024; valsartan tablets (320mg and 160mg) that expired in June 2024; prednisone tablets (USP 10mg) that expired in June 2024; losartan potassium tablets (100mg) that expired in June 2024; major aspirin low-dose pain reliever (81mg) that expired in June 2024; vitamin D supplements that expired in June 2024; magnesium oxide tablets (420mg) that expired in June 2024; diclofenac sodium topical gel expiring in November 2024; oral rehydration solution mix that expired in July 2024; unimap multiple micronutrient supplements expiring in December 2025, and other regulated medical items.
“In this examined container, as in many others seized by the Apapa Command, the expired and unexpired medicaments did not carry the required NAFDAC number,” the Customs CG noted.
“In addition to the expired pharmaceutical products, another 20ft container (No. DFSU 1362498) was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Really Extra analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory tablets without a NAFDAC number.
“Another 20ft container (No. PCIU 1934537) was found to contain rolls of tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Zokomol and Diclofenac pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC registration number.
Similarly, a 20ft container (No. CAIU 2167874) was found to contain cartons of tramadol (100mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number.
A 40ft container labelled SEGU 6326800 was found to contain cartons of codeine concealed with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of brushes.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes, respectively. A total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes were contained in the two containers.
“I want to specially commend Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and the officers working with him for this anti-smuggling exploit.
“The Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS, collects the highest revenue, and is therefore saddled with a higher degree of expectation from the management of the Service and the government. I urge them to maintain this level of performance,” the CG said.
Adewale assured that the Customs under his leadership would continue to play its part in the health and security of Nigerians.
