Customs Seize N1.8bn Worth Of Expired Medications

Customs Seize N1.8bn Worth Of Expired Medications

The Nigeria Customs Service’s Apapa Area Command has intercepted 12 containers of expired and regulated pharmaceutical products valued at N1.8 billion…… CONTINUE READING

In a statement released on Thursday, Customs Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi revealed the seizure during a press briefing at the Apapa command in Lagos. Adeniyi emphasized that allowing these drugs to exit the ports would compromise national security, particularly as expired medications can fuel criminal activities.

Adeniyi explained that aside from being expired, some of the drugs were imported without the necessary regulatory approvals from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). He noted that some containers were also seized for false declarations aimed at evading duty payments, which constitutes smuggling.

The CGC provided details of the seized goods, highlighting that one 40-foot container, initially declared to hold various pharmaceutical items, was found to contain expired health supplements, including acyclovir capsules and valsartan tablets. Another 20-foot container was found to contain Royal Tramadol 225mg concealed with expired cartons of analgesics and antiseptics, and another was filled with tramadol concealed with expired pharmaceutical products, all lacking NAFDAC registration numbers.

Additionally, other containers were discovered to hold codeine and tramadol mixed with expired medications, along with non-pharmaceutical items such as cutlasses.

Adeniyi commended the Apapa command for its successful anti-smuggling efforts and reiterated the Customs Service’s commitment to combating illegal trade while facilitating legitimate commerce. He urged port users to engage only in lawful trading practices and assured that the service remains vigilant in its inspection processes.

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