Customs Seize 12 Containers Of Expired Drugs Worth ₦1.8 Billion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted 12 containers of expired and regulated pharmaceutical products valued at ₦1.8 billion.

In a statement released on Thursday, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the significant seizure during a display of the confiscated goods at the Apapa command in Lagos.

Adeniyi emphasized that allowing these products to leave the ports would pose a serious threat to national security, potentially fueling criminal activities through illicit drugs such as tramadol.

Adeniyi noted that the drugs were not only expired but also imported without the necessary regulatory approvals, including a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number.

Additionally, some containers were seized for false declarations intended to evade duty payments, constituting smuggling.

The seized containers included a 40-foot unit with the number SEGU4339917, originally declared to contain various pharmaceutical products. Upon inspection, it was found to include health supplements and medications with expiration dates ranging from April to December 2024.

Another 20-foot container with registration DFSU 1362498 was discovered to hold cartons of Royal Tramadol 225mg, concealed among expired products lacking a NAFDAC number.

Similarly, containers with numbers PCIU 1934537 and CAIU 2167874 were found to contain rolls of tramadol and expired products without NAFDAC registration.

Additional seizures included a 40-foot container (SEGU 6326800) with cartons of codeine concealed with expired pharmaceutical items, and another container (DFSU 7320205) with a mix of codeine and tramadol among expired products. Another 40-foot container (TCKU 6880985) held expired pharmaceuticals without NAFDAC registration.

Besides the pharmaceutical products, two 40-foot containers (CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) were found to carry 27,540 cutlasses.

Adeniyi praised the Apapa command for its efforts in combating smuggling and called on port users to engage only in legitimate trade. He assured that the NCS remains committed to thorough inspections to prevent the entry of illegal and harmful goods into the country.