…as Custom hands over N53.39bn worth of seized drugs, expired pharmaceuticals to NDLEA, NAFDAC
By Efe Onodjae
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered an attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into Nigeria using a fake registration number belonging to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the handover of seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products worth N53.39 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and NAFDAC at the Apapa Area Command.
According to Adeniyi, one of the intercepted shipments contained 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number and fraudulent documentation designed to give the impression that the products had been duly approved.
He explained that although the consignment initially appeared legitimate, detailed verification confirmed that the medicines were not registered with NAFDAC.
“The use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious risk to public health,” he said.
The Customs boss said the fake registration case formed part of nine major seizures recorded by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, scanning technology, physical examination and close collaboration with the NDLEA.
He disclosed that the seizures, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53,391,140,029, included cannabis, codeine syrup, expired pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items intercepted in containers arriving at the nation’s busiest seaport.
Among the seizures were two 40-foot containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa concealed alongside imported vehicles, automobile spare parts and household items. One container contained 3,639 parcels of cannabis weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, while another held 9,918 sachets weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes.
Customs also intercepted two containers carrying 3,398 cartons, equivalent to 339,800 bottles, of Codeine Syrup hidden inside consignments of insulated casserole dishes and other household products.
In addition, officers seized three containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections, all earmarked for regulatory action.
Another container carrying Piccan Teething Powder was also intercepted.
Adeniyi said the seizures demonstrate Customs’ commitment to protecting public health, national security and the nation’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he said.
He warned that criminal networks continue to exploit legitimate trade channels by concealing illicit drugs and unsafe pharmaceutical products, but stressed that the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened its intelligence, technological and operational capabilities to detect and dismantle such operations.
The Comptroller-General announced that all narcotic drugs seized had been handed over to the NDLEA for investigation and prosecution, while expired pharmaceutical products would be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
He added that goods used to conceal prohibited items, including vehicles and automobile spare parts, would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service pending forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement procedures under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Adeniyi also commended officers of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism and praised the collaboration between the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and the importation of unsafe medicines.
