By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 25 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, counterfeit medications, and prohibited substances, including codeine-based preparations, worth N9.23 billion to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi on Thursday led the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, and other top Officers of the Command to hand over the seized containers at the Apapa Port.
According to Adeniyi, the seizures represent a sophisticated network of criminal enterprises that deliberately exploit regulatory gaps to compromise the country’s health security.
“The 25 containers, comprising 21 forty-foot containers and four twenty-foot containers, contain predominantly unregistered pharmaceutical products, including sexual enhancement drugs, codeine-containing cough syrups, antibiotic injections, pain relief medications, and various tablets bearing fake NAFDAC registration numbers”
Adeniyi revealed that the seizures include:
Unregistered pharmaceutical products, such as REDSUN and HYEGRA sildenafil citrate products,
Codeine-containing cough syrups, including CSC brands.
Antibiotic injections, like oxytetracycline and artesunate.
Pain relief medications containing diclofenac sodium and paracetamol.
Various tablets bearing fake NAFDAC registration numbers.
Expired food products, such as margarine and chocolate.
Veterinary medications, including albendazole bolus tablets and antimalarial drugs like artepharm-artequick.
The Customs CG noted that the seizures pose significant threats to public health, consumer safety, and regulatory integrity.
He assured that the service remained committed to making the seaports, airports, and land borders a nightmare for smugglers and criminal importers.
Adeniyi stated that the Service has made its ports and borders impenetrable barriers against smuggling operations through its unrelenting nationwide anti-contraband initiatives.
He commended the Director-General of NAFDAC and her team for their technical expertise and collaboration, which has created a formidable barrier against criminal networks seeking to compromise the country’s borders.
