Apapa Customs impounds 12 containers of expired, unregistered pharmaceuticals,matches worth N1.8b

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced the seizure of 12 containers of varying sizes stashed with prohibited, expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals as well as 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes at Apapa Port.

Showcasing the contrabands at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa this Thursday CGC Adeniyi revealed the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items as N1.8 billion, however frowned at such flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 by the importers.

Regretted that some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number.
He expressed satisfaction that his men and officers are living up to expectation in their execution of the service’s mandate to the fullest, maintained that they will never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in it on the altar of trade facilitation.

CGC Adeniyi was of great gratitude to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu for his unwavering support to anti-smuggling exploit of the current administration.
The items seized he outlined as, “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.

Compt Olomu giving explanations to the CGC Adeniyi

“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.”

Adeniyi continued, “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”

In addition to all these, he further revealed, “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.”

Other items as machetes were seized, “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.”
He advised port users to embrace only legitimate as customs is poised to detect all forms of concealment, even as Apapa port handles the highest volume of trade for customs and collects the highest revenue