By Jennifer Amarachi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 12 containers of expired and controlled pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion.
Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, stated this on Thursday while showing some of the confiscated contraband at the command in Apapa, Lagos.
Adeniyi warned that allowing narcotics to escape the ports would jeopardize national security by influencing the behavior of persons involved in criminal activities, which are frequently driven by illicit drugs 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 (duty paid value) of N1.8bn,” Adeniyi reported.
He noted that, in addition to being expired, several of the seized pharmaceuticals were imported without complying with the relevant regulatory procedures, such as getting a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control number.
According to the CGC, some containers were also detained as a result of false claims used to avoid duty payments, which is considered smuggling.
“A total of 12 containers have been seized. These imports are in clear violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” he stated.
One of the seized containers, a 40-foot container with 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.
The CGC explained that upon examination, the container was found to contain bodily 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 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.
Adeniyi explained that expired pharmaceutical products, including diclofenac sodium topical gel, oral rehydration solution mix, and unmap multiple micronutrient supplements, would expire in November 2024, July 2024, December 2025, and other regulated medical items, were discovered in a 20ft container with number DFSU 1362498. The cartons of Royal Tramadol 225mg were concealed with expired cartons.
“In like manner, a 20ft container with registration number CAIU 2167874 was found to contain cartons of tramadol (100mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number,” Adeniyi explained.
He said that another 40ft container with registration number SEGU 6326800 was found to contain cartons of codeine concealed with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of brushes.
“A 40ft container with registration number, No. DFSU 7320205 was found to contain cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired Diacare Antidiarrheal and other pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number,” he said.
However, Adeniyi stated that it was discovered that cartons of expired pharmaceutical supplies without a NAFDAC registration number were found inside another 40-foot container with registration number TCKU 6880985.
“There were two 40-foot containers with registration numbers, CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124, respectively, carrying 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses, in addition to the pharmaceutical products,” he continued.
He claimed that the two containers held 27,540 pieces of cutlasses. But Adeniyi praised the command for collaborating with him on this anti-smuggling scheme. According to him, the command manages the largest amount of trade for the NCS, brings in the most money, and as a result, it bears the brunt of increased demands from the government and Service management.
“I implore them to continue performing at
this caliber,” he said. Emphasizing that the service, under his direction, is fully devoted to its obligations in identifying all forms of concealment, he urged port users to embrace only genuine trade.
“We are equally committed to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive measures and physical examinations where necessary,” he said, adding that “our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering.”
