Customs intercepts N1.8bn tramadol, expired codeine, pharmaceuticals at Lagos port

On Thursday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion, which were illegally imported through the Lagos Port.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this at a press briefing in Lagos. The seized drugs included tramadol, codeine, and other pharmaceuticals lacking NAFDAC approval. Adeniyi noted that allowing these items to exit the ports would undermine national security, as illicit drugs like tramadol often fuel criminal activities.

The seized goods included expired medications and those imported without the necessary regulatory approvals. Adeniyi mentioned that some containers had false declarations to evade duty payments, constituting smuggling violations under Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

He provided details on several specific containers:

– A 40ft container (No. SEGU4339917) initially declared to contain various medications was found to have expired health supplements, acyclovir capsules, valsartan tablets, and other expired products.
– A 20ft container (No. DFSU 1362498) contained cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired analgesic tablets.
– Another 20ft container (No. PCIU 1934537) had rolls of tramadol (225mg) hidden among expired pharmaceuticals.
– A 40ft container (No. SEGU 6326800) was found with cartons of codeine concealed with expired pharmaceutical products and brushes.
– Another 40ft container (No. DFSU 7320205) contained cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired antidiarrheal and pain relief products.
– A 40ft container (No. TCKU 6880985) was filled with cartons of expired pharmaceuticals.
– Additionally, two containers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) held a total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes.

Adeniyi commended Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and the Apapa Command officers for their successful anti-smuggling efforts. He urged port users to engage only in legitimate trade and reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to detecting all forms of concealment.