The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday destroyed 96 containers of pharmaceutical products worth N12. 895 billion at Epe dumpsites in Lagos State.
The destruction of the unwholesome products was done in collaboration with other sister agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Addressing the media during the exercise, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in-charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Adonye Dappa-Williams, said that most of the seized drugs are either prohibited, expired and failed to meet the statutory import guidelines.
The destroyed pharmaceutical products include tramadol tablets, codeine cough syrup, diclofenac tablets and injections, pramo sexYagra tablets, black cobra tablets, sildenafil citrate tablets, chakapain extra tablets, mebendazole tablets, royal chest lung tablets.
Others are Dr. ibramol tablets, omeprazole capsule, cotrimaxazole tablets, diavita loperaminde capsules, diarrhea stop, chlorphanamene malfate capsules.
According to him, the aforementioned items and other products including Energy drinks have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction with a duty paid value of N12, 895, 571, 288.00.
He said the harmful effects of these illicit items in society cannot be overemphasised as it has destroyed countless lives of youths, families and the economy as well as led to an upsurge in crime in society.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Ogbudu Thomas, said the agency is delighted by the approval to destroy the narcotics and psychotropic substances as well as other dangerous and harmful goods.