Nigeria Customs Seizes Expired Pharmaceuticals, Tramadol Worth NGN 1.8 Billion at Apapa Port
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major seizure of expired and unregulated pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Port in Lagos, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion.
The operation, spearheaded by the Apapa Port Command, shows the NCS’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and security of Nigerians by preventing the influx of dangerous goods into the country.
Addressing the media on August 15, 2024, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was in Lagos barely a month prior to emphasise the importance of thorough cargo examination, unveiled the details of the latest seizures.
He highlighted that the NCS remains resolute in its dual mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring that any harmful imports are intercepted before they can reach the public.
“Our operatives have once again demonstrated their dedication to protecting Nigerians by intercepting a series of shipments that, if allowed into the market, would have posed serious health risks and potentially fueled criminal activities,” Adeniyi stated.
He emphasised that the NCS would never compromise the security and well-being of Nigerians for trade facilitation.
The seizure includes 12 containers, some of which were found to contain expired and controlled pharmaceutical products.
These products, including tramadol and codeine, were imported without the necessary regulatory approvals, such as a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number.
The CGC explained that the importation of these drugs violated Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
One of the key seizures was a 40ft container (box number SEGU4339917), initially declared to contain various pharmaceutical products.
However, upon examination, it was revealed to be filled with expired health supplements and medications, including valsartan tablets, prednisone tablets, aspirin, and vitamin D supplements, all of which expired between April and July 2024.
Adeniyi disclosed that none of these items had the required NAFDAC number.
In another significant discovery, a 20ft container (No. DFSU 1362498) was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired analgesics and anti-inflammatory tablets, all lacking NAFDAC approval.
Similar findings were made in several other containers, where tramadol was hidden among expired pharmaceutical products.
Additionally, two 40ft containers were seized containing a total of 27,540 cutlasses and machetes.
The CGC commended the Apapa Command’s leadership, particularly Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, for their vigilance and effectiveness in these operations.
He urged port users to engage only in legitimate trade, reiterating that the NCS, under his leadership, would continue to diligently detect and prevent all forms of smuggling and concealment.
“The Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS and collects the highest revenue, which places a greater responsibility on its officers,” the Comptroller-General noted, urging them to maintain their high standards of performance.
The NCS’s actions at the Apapa Port serve as a strong reminder of the agency’s role in protecting the nation’s health and security, and the continued commitment to preventing illegal and dangerous goods from entering the Nigerian market.
