CGC unveils N1.8 bn illicit pharmaceutical products seized at Apapa Customs Command
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Wednesday made public seized expired and dangerous pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
At the briefing, the CGC said that the series of actions by Customs operatives highlighted the Service’ resolves to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
He said that the Customs Service would never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in Nigeria on the altar of trade facilitation. He also expressed satisfaction that customs operatives were living up to expectations by executing their mandate to the fullest.
He emphasized that as much as the customs service remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, it equally remained dedicated to ensuring that all consignment for trade purposes passing through the nation’s port must be thoroughly checked using the non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary.
He gave details of the seized consignments, which included controlled pharmaceutical products. He also pointed out sharp practices of false declaration of cargo in some instances.
“Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port ommand, 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 behaviour 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 amount 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 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.
“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.”
The CGC used the opportunity to commend the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command Comptroller Babatunde Olomu as well as the other officers of the Command.
He disclosed that: 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 CGC advised port users to embrace only legitimate trade as he restated his commitment to the responsibility to ensure only legitimate trade.
