The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that customs Uncovered 13 containers of expired pharmaceutical products and cannabis sativa ( Colorado) which duty paid value was put at N6.3bn at Apapa port, as the Service intensified the deployment of modern inspection systems to combat smuggling and protect the nation’s economy.
Briefing the newsmen in Lagos, Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, said the seizures were simply as a result of direct outcome of this shift toward intelligence-driven enforcement supported by scanning technology and targeted physical examination.
Adeniyi disclosed that through careful risk profiling and non-intrusive inspection procedures, operatives of the Command were able to identify several containers with irregular cargo profiles that led further examination and seizure.
According to Adeniyi, the 13 containers and additional contraband items, include: 40-foot container (HASU 4072659) conveying large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets. Two 40-foot containers (MRSU 4584911 and MRSU 6913370) conveying large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate unregistered pharmaceuticals. A 20-foot container (MRKU 8830266) conveying 800 cartons of Codeine (TPL CSC) deliberately concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware. A 40-foot container (MRSU 5147562) conveying cartons of Artesunate 60 injections. 20-foot container (PCIU 286888) conveying restricted security equipment without End User Certificates, including bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches”.
Others were 20-foot container (TCLU 3819607) conveying expired muffin cookie biscuits. 20-foot container (UGMU 8692902) containing 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks. A 20-foot container (SUDU 1696593) loaded with expired St. Kelvin tomato paste. Another 20-foot container (TCLU 1923314) containing expired De Truth tomato paste. 40-foot container (TCNU 7257465) containing 1,700 cartons of Codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks.
He said additional 40-foot container (CAAU 8375050) was found to contain 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed with 156 cartons of electric kettles, alongside additional pharmaceutical seizures including 13 cartons of Bristol brand Co-codamol 500mg and 2 cartons of Zevita brand Co-codamol 500mg. Officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa (Colorado) weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle with Chassis No. 5TDDK3DC7DS057669.
These seizures amount to ₦6,381,237,988.00 (Six Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira) worth of prohibited, expired and falsely declared goods
Adeniyi warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health and contributes to substance abuse across the country.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” he declared, adding that all seized consignments would be forfeited in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while individuals connected to the shipments would face prosecution.
He assured legitimate traders that Customs enforcement efforts are targeted at criminal activity and not compliant businesses.
“To compliant traders and investors, our enforcement is not against legitimate trade; it is against criminality. Those who comply with the law will continue to enjoy facilitation and predictable clearance processes,” he said.
The CGC however commissioned a Data Analytics Centre and inspected the newly installed Drive Through Scanner at the Apapa Port. He equally inspected the new Drive Through Scanner at Apapa Port.
He described the role of the data in modern Customs administration as the real currency of international business and a critical tool for effective communication.
He described credible data as the backbone of the Service’s risk management architecture
While welcoming the CGC, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, said the two-storey complex represents a major step toward technology-driven border security.
According to him, the facility will house a state-of-the-art analytics centre, the Customs Intelligence Unit and a clinic for officers, alongside other strategic operational units.
Oshoba described the project as a reflection of the Comptroller-General’s vision to deploy modern technology and data analytics in the fight against smuggling while improving the welfare and operational efficiency of Customs personnel
He added that the project was made possible through collaboration with stakeholders under the Customs-PACT (Partnership for Cooperation in Trade) initiative.
0 Comments