The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully intercepted a haul of illicit and expired pharmaceutical products at the Apapa seaport in Lagos State, valued at N1.8 billion.
The seizure involved 12 containers filled with various unregistered and expired drugs, underscoring the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding public health in Nigeria.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the intercepted goods included a range of expired medications and controlled substances, which posed a threat to public health.
Among the items discovered were expired immune supplements, pain relievers, and other pharmaceuticals, some of which lacked the mandatory approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Further inspections revealed that some containers concealed banned substances like tramadol and codeine, while others held machetes and cutlasses.
These discoveries highlight the ongoing efforts by the NCS to combat smuggling and the importation of harmful goods.
Adeniyi lauded the efforts of the Apapa port command, particularly the officers who played a key role in this operation.
He also addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Federal Government’s zero duty policy on certain food items, acknowledging a potential revenue shortfall but affirming the policy’s importance in alleviating the economic burden on Nigerians.
