By Abimbola Abdullah

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 12 containers of expired drugs, unregistered and expired pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion at the Apapa seaport in Lagos State.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who paraded the contrabands before journalists in Lagos, said: “Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8 billion. Allow me to explain that these items, if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol”.

Aside from being expired, Adeniyi said 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 payments, 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,” he stated.

He reiterated that the service is resolved to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.

According to him, “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”.

Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, 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.

By Abimbola Abdullah

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 12 containers of expired drugs, unregistered and expired pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion at the Apapa seaport in Lagos State.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who paraded the contrabands before journalists in Lagos, said: “Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8 billion. Allow me to explain that these items, if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behavior of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol”.

Aside from being expired, Adeniyi said 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 payments, 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,” he stated.

He reiterated that the service is resolved to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.

According to him, “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”.

Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, 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.