The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted illicit drugs, both unregistered and expired pharmaceutical products worth over N20 billion.
The seizure at Area 2 Command, Onne ports in Eleme Council Area of Rivers State was in collaboration with other agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The illicit drugs ranged from codeine syrup, reny extra dychlophenic fantamac, and Panadol, all of which were handed over to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye at the Area 2 Command warehouse in Onne Port Complex, yesterday.
During the handing over ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the illicit goods were contained in 11 containers of legitimate consumer goods, apparently to deceive security agencies at the Ports for easy passage.
An elated Adeniyi said, “The Command has successfully intercepted a total of 16 containers with an aggregate duty paid value of twenty billion, five hundred and forty nine million, nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, and two hundred naira only.
(N20, 549,999,200.00), as calculated in accordance with service valuation protocols.
“An analysis of these seizures reveals sophisticated concealment practice and systematic attempt to circumvent established import protocols.
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Eleven of the containers were found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products comprising 1,301,000 bottles of codeine syrup, 9,300,000 products of reny extra dychlophenic fantamac, 12,600,000 products of royal dacencapel/Panadol in the category of 225mg, 3,500,000 products of trodon in 5mg each, 210,000 products of ayezua in 200mg, and 717,316 products of Binsovo-G and 2,200,000 products of Basuka in 450mg each.
“All of these forbidden items were strategically concealed within legitimate consumer goods and the items used to conceal them include; 9,280 pieces of tree cutters, 180 pieces of ceiling fans, 2,610 pieces of plumbing materials, 2,268 pieces of smart tech vehicle bags, 97,200 tins of tomato pastes and 700 cartons of cream,” he stressed.
Pressed further, the Customs boss noted that the operation was made possible through the implementation of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) entered into between the NCS, NAFDAC and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to combat trans-national border crime.
“About two weeks ago in Abuja, Nigeria Customs Service and NAFDAC took one major step to begin the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that has been consummated between the two agencies in November 2024,” he recalled.
This Committee, she stressed, “Was set up to serve as the major arrowhead to superintend and manage our joint option against illegal importation of unregistered products into the country. I’m happy that two weeks into this, this is the second time that we are coming out to jointly inspect and hand over goods that have offended the various laws, particularly goods that are not registered and fake products.
“And in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act and our mandate on public accountability and stakeholder management, I hereby convene this briefing to formally apprise the general public of the significant anti-smuggling operations which has been undertaken by the Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Receiving the seized containers, Professor Adeyeye, said the handover of the illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products was a strong demonstration of the partnership between the two to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
Adeyeye said: “Today’s handover ceremony represents not just an act of administrative duty but a strong demonstration of the partnership between Nigerian Customs Service and NAFDAC to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
“A few days ago, the Comptroller General of Customs was at our head-office in Abuja in his drive to explore better ways of collaboration in the fight against the importation of fake and substandard and falsified NAFDAC-regulated products. Just last week, we were there at Apapa Port to receive, for destruction, 25 containers of unwholesome medical devices.”
Earlier in his welcome address Comptroller of Nigerian Customs, Area Two Command, Mohammed Babandede said the containers were intercepted in collaboration with other security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
