Harboursandport.com: Lagos - May 22, 2025: The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS at the Apapa Port Command has impounded six containers laden with prohibited items and unregistered pharmaceuticals.
Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country.
Addressing the press on the seizures, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomo, said these seizures have Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira) broken down into three categories.
On category one; container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in packages of water closet.
Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00 (Two billion, seven hundred and ten million, four hundred thousand naira only).
He disclosed that the two containers were intercepted through international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
On category two; Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) was found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as Truck Tyres.
Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
On category 3 Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Olomo stated that while the Command facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
He said: "As officers at the nation's largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today".
The CAC attributed the success of the Command to the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
While receiving the unregistered pharmaceuticals, representative of the Nigeria Drug Law Enfield Agency (NDLEA), AC Buba Wakawa, acknowledged that the seizures were aided by international collaborations.
He noted that most codeine products are manufactured in India, hence the agency has communicated with the country to stop production of codeine for Nigeria.
Wakawa revealed: We know that most of these codeine are produced in India, that's why the Agency signed an MoU with India to stop producing codeine for Nigeria.
"That's why these people have to go to the extent of using the neighbouring countries that we don't have MoU with them like Chad as their source of manufacturing.
"But I think with the synergy that is going on now we are closing that gap and we checkmate them".
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