In a landmark operation showcasing strengthened inter-agency ties, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have intercepted 16 containers loaded with illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦20.5 billion at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne.
Illicit Pharmaceuticals: Included 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 9.3 million tablets of Diclofenac, 12.6 million tablets of Tramadol, and other dangerous, unregistered drugs.
Concealment Tactics: Smugglers disguised drugs as imports like tomato paste, ceiling fans, and plumbing materials.
Inter-Agency Collaboration: Operation involved NCS, NAFDAC, NDLEA, DSS, and ONSA.
CGC Adewale Adeniyi: Warned smugglers of zero tolerance, emphasizing border security and public health.
NAFDAC DG Mojisola Adeyeye: Condemned importers of falsified medicines as “merchants of death,” confirming seized items will undergo regulatory procedures and destruction.
Impact and Commitment:
The seizure underscores the strength of collaboration between Customs, NAFDAC, and other agencies.
All parties pledged to enhance intelligence-sharing and enforcement operations to safeguard national security and public health .
This operation follows a recent seizure of substandard medical devices at Apapa Port, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb smuggling.
