Customs Seize Expired Drugs, Machetes, Worth ₦292.244 Million At Lagos Port

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted seven containers filled with expired pharmaceuticals, 12,000 cutlasses and machetes, and 4,129 packages of frozen chicken at the Lagos Port.

Naija News reports that the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, announced the seizure on Friday, revealing that it occurred the previous day.

Olomu stated that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is approximately ₦292.244 million. He emphasized that the seizures align with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ zero-tolerance policy for smuggling.

“The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven containers that do not meet import prohibition guidelines,” Olomu said.

The expired drugs were imported from India, the cutlasses and machetes from China, and the frozen chicken from Turkiyé.

Olomu highlighted that such imports violate Schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“These seizures were the result of combined intelligence and diligent enforcement to ensure no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without proper examination,” he added.

Olomu reiterated that the command is committed to trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of laws related to false declarations, concealment, and undervaluation.

“We are also enforcing the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for food and drugs, and implementing end-user certificate rules for products that require them from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” Olomu stated.

He concluded by warning against the smuggling of prohibited items and affirmed that only compliant consignments would be allowed through the port, whether for import or export.

The seized items will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.