The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has vowed it would continue to demoralize Smugglers of all kinds of illicit drugs across the country as the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi showcases 12 containers of expired controlled pharmaceutical products valued at N1.8 billion at the Lagos Premier Port, Apapa
By Innocent Chukwu
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Area 1 Port, Lagos, Dr. Babatunde Olomu is regarded as a symbol of excellence in Nigeria’s public service across the country. His unprecedented exploits in revenue generation and crushing of Smugglers syndicates which desired to destroy the economy and engender insecurity through the illicit importation of unlawful items into the country, have stood him out in the nation’s public service.
Any wonder that the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi was full of praises for the gallantry CAC, Olomu and his officers at the Apapa Area 1 Command when he came to make public on Thursday, August 15, 2024 the 12 containers of expired controlled pharmaceutical products seized by the Command. The CGC recognized that Comptroller Olomu has remained steadfast and dedicated in his desire to reposition the port under his watch for maximum revenue collection and watertight anti-smuggling initiatives.
Showcasing the seizures to the media, Adeniyi, vowed to run out of business traders of illicit items who use Customs controlled ports for their illicit trade and use anyone caught as a scapegoat to send strong warnings to the perpetrators of the illegal trade.
Adeniyi gave this warning at the APMT terminal, Apapa port where he unveiled the 12 containers of illicit consignment intercepted by the Apapa command of the service.
Addressing Customs officers, NDLEA officials and journalists who witnessed the unveiling of the seized items, Adeniyi declared that the service will not compromise the health of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation.
Giving an insight into the seizure, the CGC declared that the 12 containers, which came from different countries, contained expired and controlled pharmaceuticals with the combined Duty Paid Value of N1.8 billion.
He revealed that the seizure resulted from his earlier admonition to the men and officers of the Apapa command to be diligent in cargo examination to prevent illicit items from escaping from the port into the market.
Adeniyi 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 declaration, ostensibly to evade duty payment, which amounts 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.
“I want to especially commend Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and the officers working with him for this anti-smuggling exploit.
“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” urged the CGC.
