Apapa Custom Command Intercepts Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth N1.8bn

…“We Will Never Sacrifice The Health and Security of Nigerians” - CGC Adeniyi

Kathy Kyari

In his continuous fight against smuggling and the importation of dangerous products, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has announced a series of high-value seizures totalling N1.8 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV).

On Thursday, CSC Abubakar Usman, the Apapa Command's Public Relations Officer, published a statement confirming this.

Among the contraband found were outdated medications, significant amounts of tramadol, and disguised codeine.

The statement affirmed the Service's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and security of Nigerians.

“Barely a month ago, I was here in Lagos to discuss with our officers the importance of due diligence in cargo examination, following significant arms seizures. Today, we continue to demonstrate our resolve to prevent the importation of harmful goods into Nigeria,” he stated.”

“As I have always emphasized, we will never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in our country on the altar of trade facilitation. I am pleased to state that our officers are living up to expectations by executing our mandate to the fullest.”

CGC Adeniyi emphasized the risks associated with these unauthorized imports, pointing out that they might feed criminal activity throughout the nation.

“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 NGN 1.8 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, 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.”

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.

The 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.

The CGC commended Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and the officers working with him for their 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.”

Adeniyi urged port users to embrace legitimate trade and that the NCS, under his leadership, is fully committed to its responsibilities in detecting all forms of concealment.