The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command has intercepted 12 containers filled with expired and controlled pharmaceutical products valued at N1.8 billion.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this on Thursday while showcasing some of the seized contraband at the Apapa Port Command in Lagos.
Adeniyi warned that if these drugs had exited the port, they could have compromised national security by fueling criminal activities often driven by illicit substances such as tramadol. “I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a DPV of N1.8bn,” he stated.
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The customs chief highlighted that some of the seized drugs were imported without meeting necessary regulatory standards, such as acquiring a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. Additionally, some containers were intercepted due to false declarations aimed at evading duty payments, which Adeniyi categorized as smuggling.
“In total, 12 containers have been seized. These imports are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” he said.
One of the intercepted containers, a 40-foot unit with number SEGU4339917, was declared to contain various medical supplies but was instead found to hold expired immune supplements and medications such as acyclovir capsules, valsartan tablets, and diclofenac sodium topical gel. Many of these items had expired as recently as June and July of 2024.
Adeniyi further disclosed the seizure of another 20-foot container, DFSU 1362498, which was found to contain Royal Tramadol 225mg concealed with expired analgesics and other pharmaceutical products lacking a NAFDAC number. Similar smuggling attempts were discovered in other containers, including one that concealed rolls of tramadol with expired medical products.
In addition to the pharmaceutical seizures, the NCS also confiscated two 40-foot containers loaded with a total of 27,540 cutlasses.
Adeniyi praised the Apapa Area Command for its efforts in this anti-smuggling operation and urged them to continue their high level of performance. He advised port users to engage in legitimate trade, emphasizing that the NCS is committed to detecting all forms of illegal activities. “While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked,” he concluded.
