The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 12 containers filled with expired and illicit drugs valued at N1.8 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos. The seizure was announced by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Adeniyi emphasized the potential dangers posed by the intercepted goods. He stated that allowing the drugs to enter the market could severely undermine national security by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities.
“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 N1.8 billion,” he said.
The CGC further explained that many of the seized drugs were imported without adhering to the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Additionally, some of the containers were seized due to false declarations aimed at evading duty payments. This an act considered as smuggling under Nigerian law.
“In total, 12 containers have been seized. These imports are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” Adeniyi stated. He provided details on some of the seized containers, including a 40-foot container filled with expired bodily health immune supplements, tablets, and other regulated medical items. Many of which had expired as recently as June and July 2024.
The seized items also included large quantities of the opioid tramadol, concealed among expired pharmaceutical products. For instance, a 20-foot container was found to contain rolls of tramadol 225mg hidden within expired cartons of other drugs. None of which had the required NAFDAC registration number. Another 40-foot container was discovered to hold cartons of codeine, a controlled substance, concealed with expired pharmaceutical items and cartons of brushes.
WIn addition to the expired drugs, the Customs Service also intercepted two 40-foot containers containing a total of 27,540 machetes. Adeniyi commended the Apapa Command for their efforts in the operation, noting that the command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS and collects the highest revenue. This places significant expectations on their performance.
“I urge them to maintain this level of performance,” he said, encouraging port users to engage only in legitimate trade.
Adeniyi stressed that under his leadership, the NCS is fully committed to its responsibilities in detecting all forms of concealment.
Adeniyi explained, “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 measures and physical examinations where necessary,” he concluded.