Harboursandport.com: Lagos - August 15, 2024: Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, has said that the Service impounded 12 containers of hard drugs, illicit imported drugs and other items with Duty Paid Value, DPV worth over N1.8 billion.
This is even as the Customs boss explained that the Federal Government policy on zero duty payment on some imported items will result in the loss of N188 billion collectable revenue.
Adeniyi explained that he had gotten intelligence of that such containers are coming into the country and therefore charged officers and men of Apapa Area 1 Command to look out for them.
He noted that some of the items are expired, others are drugs that were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number.
I further explained that "We also have containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling.
"I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value, DPV of NGN 1.8 billion.
"In total, 12 containers have been seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023."
He listed some of the seized items to include
expired pharmaceutical products, another 20 foot container (No. DFSU 1362498) was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Really Extra analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory tablets without a NAFDAC number.
Adeniyi also explained that another of the containers was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year; acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024; valsartan tablets (320mg and 160mg) that expired in June 2024; prednisone tablets (USP 10mg) that expired in June 2024; losartan potassium tablets (100mg) that expired in June 2024; major aspirin low-dose pain reliever (81mg) that expired in June 2024; vitamin D supplements that expired in June 2024; magnesium oxide tablets (420mg) that expired in June 2024; diclofenac sodium topical gel expiring in November 2024; oral rehydration solution mix that expired in July 2024; unimap multiple micronutrient supplements expiring in December 2025, and other regulated medical items.
On the Federal Government zero duty policy on importation certain food items, he noted that theintention.of.government to make food available to nigerians is paramount compared duty collectable by the Service.
Making clarification on the policy, the Customs boss explained that rice important still remains banned. He noted that what is allowed according to the policy is rice pallets which will processed after it's import.
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