…Intercepts Pharmaceutical Products
Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service says it intercepted cartons of pharmaceutical products along it’s Abidjan Lagos Corridor.
The pharmaceuticals which was conveyed in a truck with registration number GL 6663 GH belonging to one of the major conglomerates was intercepted on the 9th of May 2023 at about 0830hrs during a stop and search exercise carried out by men and officers of the Command.
The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi disclosed this on Wednesday at the Command during a media briefing.
Comptroller Dera hinted that the truck was taken to the station at Seme for proper examination and upon conducting of the examination, the unregistered pharmaceutical products discovered were said to include 100ml of 1076 bottles of MORPHINE SULFATE, AMODIAQUINE SUSPENSION 60ml x 94 bottles, VERMOX 500mg x 2970 packages x 1 sachet x 1 tablet and MEPACRINE TABLETS 100mg x 390 packets x 1000 tablets.
Others are CLOFENAC SR 100mg x 298 packets x 10 sachets x 10 tablets, LOSARTAIL POTASSIUM 50mg x 1485 packages x 2 sachets x 28 tablets and VIREST 400 ACICLOVIR tablets. B.P 400mg x 499 packages x 5 sachets x 5 tablets.
He disclosed that the seized unregistered pharmaceutical products have a Duty Paid Value of Twenty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira (N27, 861, 538.00) only.
He disclosed further that the seizure contravened both Nigeria Customs Service banning the importation of pharmaceutical products through land border without approval and further contravening NAFDAC laws as they do not have NAFDAC registration numbers. “Furthermore, five out of the seven seized pharmaceutical products have expired” he said.
Speaking on the seized pharmaceuticals, the Command boss said “The Command and indeed every Nigerian is worried about this particular seizure considering the dangerous use of morphine which is a derivate of opium. This drug can be deployed for illicit use to aid criminals.
“Let me reiterate our commitment to fight smuggling under any guise and also states that those trying our resolve will continue to meet their water-loo as we remain resolute at ensuring adequate surveillance of our borders”
In the same event, Comptroller Dera handed over the earlier seized parcels of Cannabis Sativa to the officers and men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, stating that the CGC, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali has ordered the handling over of the hard drugs and suspects to the agency.
In his words “While we draw your attention to this development, recall that, on the 21st of April, 2023, the officer of the Command on a routine patrol along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor intercepted a Ford Bus conveying Seven (7) large sacks containing five hundred and fifty-three (553) parcels and four suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
“In line with the dictates of the Nigeria Customs Service in the promotion of inter-agency collaboration and synergy, the CGC Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali Rtd directed that the seized items and two (2) suspects should be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
“To this end, the 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and two (2) suspects are today being handed over to NDLEA. Two (2) other suspects had earlier been handed over to the sister security agency for necessary action” Dera quipped.
He however thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali Rtd and the management of Customs for the encouragement and support to the Command and also attributes success of the seizures to the tireless effort of officers and men of the Command for their doggedness.
