- Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi (right), Compt. Babatunde Olomu of the Apapa Area Command and others during the unveiling of the seizures at the Apapa Port, Lagos…Thursday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Thursday in Lagos showcased some expired, dangerous pharmaceuticals worth N1.8 billion among the 12 containers recently seized for trade infractions at the Apapa Port by the Customs Area Command.
Unveiling the seizures, which included tramadol and other false declarations, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the interceptions highlighted the agency’s “resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.”
According to Adeniyi, the seizures comprised expired and controlled pharmaceutical products which, “if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behaviour of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol.
“Aside 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 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.”
Among the 12 containers were 2x40ft containers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) with a total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes (15,540 and 12,000 pieces respectively).
The seized expired pharmaceuticals included 1x40ft container number SEGU4339917, 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, it was “laden with daily health immune supplements that expired earlier in July, 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, and major aspirin low-dose pain reliever (81mg) that expired in June 2024.”
The other contents were “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.”
Against this background, Adeniyi restated the NCS’ resolve never to sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in the country on the altar of trade facilitation.
“While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary.
He commended Compt. Babatunde Olomu and his officers for their anti-smuggling exploit, noting that “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.”
