CUSTOMS SEIZE EXPIRED AND UNREGISTERED PHARMACEUTICALS WORTH BILLIONS AT APAPA PORT

By Aluta News
August 15, 2024

In a major breakthrough, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a large consignment of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, including tramadol, at the Apapa Port. The seized items, valued at billions of naira, were discovered in multiple containers and included a range of prohibited substances.

The Comptroller-General of Customs praised Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and the Apapa Command team for their exceptional performance in anti-smuggling operations. The Apapa Command, which handles the highest volume of trade and generates significant revenue for the NCS, has demonstrated unwavering commitment to curbing smuggling.

The seized items include:

– Expired and unregistered medicaments without NAFDAC numbers
– Cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Really Extra analgesic tablets
– Rolls of tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Zokomol and Diclofenac pharmaceutical products
– Cartons of tramadol (100mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products
– Cartons of codeine concealed with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of bromhexine

The Comptroller-General warned port users to engage in legitimate trade and reiterated the NCS’s commitment to detecting all forms of concealment. This seizure underscores the NCS’s efforts to prevent the importation of harmful and unregistered pharmaceuticals, which can fuel criminal activities and compromise national security.

The NCS has vowed to continue its vigilance and collaboration with regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians.