Customs hand over another container of pharmaceutical products to NDLEA

The Tin-can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has handed over another intercepted 40 footer container of Pharmaceutical products falsely declared as spare parts to the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Customs Area Controller, CAC of Tin-can Island CommandComptroller Yusuf Bashar 

The container with registration number MRKU 519445/3 containing cartons of Spectradol (Tramadol) Capsules of various milligrams, Spectra-Doxycycline Capsules of various milligrams as well as Jinart Tablets.

Other drugs seized are Clarinthromycin Tablets of five hundred milligrams and Jincold-Extra Strength Capsules of various milligrams. The container was intercepted last week and was handed over to the NDLEA over the weekend.

Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, the Customs Area Controller, CAC of the Command, identified the importer as Jin Spectra Pharmaceutical Limited of No. 3 Festing Road, Kano also said that the Clearing Agency is Febeaco Nigeria Limited of 29, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ibafon, Apapa- Lagos.

Bashar also stated that the Service would continue to build on the existing inter-Agency cooperation with all concerned regulatory Agencies, to ensure that illicit and uncustomed goods are intercepted at the Ports, for the good of the Nation’s Economy and Nigeria as a whole.

The Customs boss said that the drugs are highly regulated but readily available in the market resulting in its abused by youths in the country. He noted that users of these products are associated with acts that have far reaching negative implications on their health in particular and the nation at large.

Bashir noted that the frequency of drugs seizures in recent times may not be unconnected to the impending election year, explaining that it portends evil for the nation as the election year is drawing near and consumption of drugs like these by the youths would push them into reprehensible and deplorable acts.

He listed the number of seizures the Command has made recently to include arms, cars, drugs and others, and expressed regrets that an importer who declared pharmaceutical products as imported vehicles and computer accessories, has no good intention for the nation and its people.

“It’s not just about money but the health and well-being of the people, every Nigerian should show care about the life of Nigerians and its not about revenue nor trade facilitation but about the good of Nigeria and Nigerians, so this must stop”.

The Customs boss expressed the hope that the NDLEA would effectively complete the investigation and bring the importers to book, by using the address and the information provided.

Receiving the consignment on behalf of the NDLEA, the Commander Tin-can Island Port, Nse Jsck commended the Customs Area Controller for his consistent commitment to the concept of Inter-Agency collaboration and synergy over time. He assured the CAC that NDLEA will conduct further due diligence test to unravel details of the importer for eventual prosecution of suspects.