Customs seize 12 container loads of expired drugs worth N1.8bn, container of cutlasses

Maureen Aguta

 

As the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday showcased 12 containers of expired drugs and a container of cutlasses which its diligent officer at the Apapa Port Command recently intercepted, Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated his avowed commitment to protect the health and security of Nigerians by ensuring that harmful drugs and pharmaceuticals and arms and ammunition do not find their way into the country through the ports and borders.

His words: “Barely a month ago, I was in Lagos to interact with my officers on the need for due diligence in cargo examination and to showcase some seizures of arms made by one of our commands. This series of actions by our operatives highlights the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.

“As I have always emphasized, we will never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in our country on the altar of trade facilitation. I am pleased to state that our officers are living up to expectations by executing our mandate to the fullest.

“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 using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary,” CGC Adeniyi affirmed.

He also said that the seizures made by the officers at the Apapa Port Command, comprised of expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. He said had the seized items allowed to exit the ports, they would have undermine the security of the country by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol.

According to him, 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. The CGC also disclosed that some of the containers were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling.

In total, 12 containers were seized. “These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023,” CGC Adeniyi said.

One of the seized containers, a 1x40ft 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.

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.

Additionally, a 40ft container (No. SEGU 6326800) was found to contain cartons of codeine concealed with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of brushes.

A 1x40ft container (No. DFSU 7320205) was found to contain cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired Diacare antidiarrheal and Really Extra pain reliever pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number.

Another 40ft container (No. TCKU 6880985) was found to contain cartons of expired pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC registration number.