The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intercepted 55 cartons of tramadol concealed in food flasks at the Apapa port.
The command also announced seizure of Omeprazole drugs imported into the country without NAFDAC registration number.
Addressing journalists on the seized tramadol in Lagos on Thursday, Controller of the command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta, said the drugs valued at N1.275billion were imported from India.
He said the container with number SUDU -7538656, laden with the tramadol was declared as cooking appliances but upon physical examination, it was discovered to be tramadol.
“On 21 July 2022, acting on credible intelligence, our officers at the APM Terminals successfully intercepted a 1x20ft container with No SUDU-7538656 manifested as 272 cartons of stainless-steel hotpot.
“It was captured/declared as cooking appliances, measuring/checking instruments and furnace burners, to evade arrest.
“The said container was positioned, opened and jointly examined with relevant agencies and found to contain 55 cartons of tramadol concealed in food flasks,” he said.
The Customs boss added that each carton of the tramadol contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packs, and each pack contains 10 sachets.
He explained that the container was impounded in line with the provisions of Sections 46 & 47 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
On the seized Omeprazole drugs, the Customs boss said, “This is an importation which was declared as medicament but it has no NAFDAC stamp and since there is no NAFDAC registration, it is considered as illicit importation and therefore the dosage and the composition may not be fit for human consumption.”
While calling on all stakeholders in the trade supply chain to always abide by the extant rules, Comptroller Malanta reiterated the command’s resilience in ensuring that importation of illicit drugs are detected and seized.
In his words, “I would like to advise importers and their agents to acquaint themselves with import/export prohibition guidelines to safeguard the nation’s economy and security.”
He also used the opportunity to reaffirm the synergy and collaboration between the Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) saying they always share intelligence that assist in combating importation of illicit drugs and other related crimes at the port.
“We always work together with NDLEA in sharing information. Customs is the lead agency in combating this ugly menace. All government agencies in the port are at full alert in ensuring that illicit importation including drugs is eradicated from the system,” he said.
Photo caption:
Comptroller Yusuf Malanta showcasing the seized tramadol at the Apapa port in Lagos on Wednesday.
