The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Thursday reiterated its resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that the service will not give breathing space to counterfeit drug warlords operating across the ports in the country.
He spoke when he displayed seizures made by officers at the Apapa Port command including expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion.
Adewale said if the items were allowed to exit the ports, they undermine the security of the nation by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol.
The CG said 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 payment, which amounts to smuggling. In total, 12 containers have been seized. These imports are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.”
One of the containers, upon examination, was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year.
“The contents include 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.”