The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered six containers laden with unregistered pharmaceuticals imported into the country from India.
Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country valued at N3.2billion.
The latest seizure is coming barely two weeks after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi showcased 12 containers of pharmaceuticals seized by the command.
Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who showcased the seized items during a press briefing at the command in Lagos on Thursday said some of the drugs were concealed in packages of water closet and toilet seat.
According to Olomu, the seizures can be broken down into three categories, “Category 1 – Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
“Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00.
“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
For category 2, he said, “Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres.
“Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
“In category 3, container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
“While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law, ”
Olomu warned that the command will not sacrifice compliance on the alter of trade faciliation.
He maintained that while Customs facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the Service owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV – which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.
The Customs boss said three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
On the command’s performance in the area of revenue generation, Olomu said the command has so far generated a total of N1,094 trillion between January and 21st May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting
and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year.
“Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more. For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion All these were groundbreaking daily collections.
Olomu warned that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity as the command’s officers are ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
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