Customs seizes 12 containers containing tramadol and machetes at Lagos port

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has seized 12 containers of Tramadol, expired drugs and 27,540 machetes worth N1.8 billion in Lagos.

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this while uncovering the contraband on Thursday in Lagos.

Adeniyi said expired pharmaceutical products were imported without going through the necessary regulatory requirements.

He added that some drugs do not have a Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) number.

CG said: “We also have containers seized for false declarations, supposedly to avoid paying duties, which is smuggling.

“In total, 12 containers were seized with an import duty value of N1.8 billion.

“This import is a flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

“One of the seized containers, a 40-foot container with box number SEGU4339917, was found to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium, and diclofenac sodium topical gel, among others.

“Upon inspection, the containers were found to contain daily health supplements that expired in July this year. The acyclovir capsules expired in April 2024; the valsartan tablets (320 mg and 160 mg) expired in June 2024; the prednisone tablets (USP 10 mg) expired in June 2024.

“Also losartan potassium tablets (100 mg) that expire in June 2024; low-dose aspirin pain relievers (81 mg) that expire in June 2024; vitamin D supplements that expire in June 2024, and magnesium oxide tablets (420 mg) that expire in June 2024.

“The 40-foot container also contained diclofenac sodium topical gel with an expiration date of November 2024; an oral rehydration solution mixture with an expiration date of July 2024; various Unimap micronutrient supplements with an expiration date of December 2025, and various other regulated medical items.”

He said in the containers inspected as in many other containers seized by the Apapa Customs Command, both expired and unexpired medical products did not bear the required NAFDAC number.

Adeniyi disclosed that another 20-foot container containing expired pharmaceutical products was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225 mg) concealed together with cartons of expired analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory tablets without NAFDAC numbers.

The customs chief said a 20-foot container was also found containing rolls of Tramadol (225 mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products Zokomol and Diclofenac without NAFDAC registration numbers.

He confirmed that another 20-foot container was found containing cartons of tramadol (100 mg) hidden with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC numbers.

“A 40-foot container was found containing cartons of codeine hidden along with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of brushes.

“Another 40-foot container was found containing cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired anti-diarrhea and painkiller pharmaceutical products Diacare without NAFDAC numbers.

“Similarly, a 40-foot container was found containing cartons of expired pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration numbers.

“In addition to pharmaceutical products, there were two 40-foot containers containing 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of machetes and knives.

“A total of 27,540 machetes and knives were placed in the two containers,” he added.

Adeniyi commended the Apapa Customs Area Controller, Mr. Babatunde Olomu, and the officers for the achievement.

He said the command handles the highest volume of trade for Customs, collects the highest revenues, and is therefore burdened with higher expectations from the Service’s management and the government.

Customs seize 12 containers of tramadol and machetes at Lagos port first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.