Nigeria Customs busts 12 containers of expired pharmaceutical products worth N1.8bn in Lagos

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of 12 containers containing expired and regulated pharmaceutical products valued at N1.8 billion.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while displaying some of the seized contraband at the command in Apapa, Lagos.

Adeniyi warned that if the seized drugs were allowed to enter the market, they would pose a significant threat to national security by potentially fuelling criminal behaviors and activities linked to illicit drug use, particularly Tramadol.

Adeniyi said: “I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a DPV of N1.8bn.”

He further explained that, in addition to being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without complying with regulatory requirements, including obtaining a NAFDAC number.

Moreover, some containers were seized due to false declarations aimed at evading duty payments, which constitutes smuggling, he said.

“In total, 12 containers have been seized. These imports are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

He revealed that authorities seized a 40-foot container (SEGU4339917), initially declared to contain a list of pharmaceutical products, including baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, and several other drugs.

The CGC explained that, upon examination, the container was found to contain bodily health immune supplements that expired in July this year.

He said: “Acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024; valsartan tablets (320mg and 160mg) that expired in June 2024; prednisone tablets 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 that would expire in November 2024; oral rehydration solution mix that expired in July 2024; unmapped multiple micronutrient supplements that would expire in December 2025; and other regulated medical items.”

The customs boss revealed that a 20-foot container (DFSU 1362498) was discovered to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol 225 mg, hidden among expired cartons of Really Extra Analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory tablets, which lacked a NAFDAC registration number.

He further disclosed that a 20-foot container (PCIU 1934537) was discovered to contain rolls of tramadol 225 mg, hidden among expired cartons of pharmaceutical products that lacked a valid NAFDAC registration number.

He said: “Similarly, a 20-foot container with the registration number CAIU 2167874 was found to contain cartons of tramadol (100 mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number.

“A 40-foot container with registration number, No. DFSU 7320205 was found to contain cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired Diacare Antidiarrheal and other pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC number.”

Adeniyi, however, added that another 40ft container with registration number TCKU 6880985 was found to contain cartons of expired pharmaceutical products without a NAFDAC registration number.

He said: “In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40-foot containers with registration numbers, CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124, respectively, carrying 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlass.”

He said the two containers had a total of 27,540 pieces of cutlass, praising the command’s collaboration in achieving this significant anti-smuggling success.

He noted that the command processes the largest volume of trade for the NCS, generates the highest revenue, and consequently faces greater expectations from the service’s management and the government.

“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 measures and physical examinations where necessary.”