THE Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command in Onne Ports, has seized 16 containers laden with illegally imported pharmaceutical products and goods worth N20.549 billion at the Onne Ports in Rivers State.
The Customs said most of the seized items included illegal pharmaceutical products such as Codeine syrup, extra Diclofenac, Tramadol, as well as cartons of cream systematically concealed in an attempt to beat import protocols.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this while displaying the seized items before newsmen at a news briefing at the Customs Area 2 Command in Onne on Friday.
Adeniyi said the feat was achieved following intensified intelligence-led enforcement by the Customs in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, among other agencies.
He stated, “The Nigeria Customs Service remains steadfast in its commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s policy objectives of securing our borders, protecting public health, and safeguarding national security.
“Our anti-smuggling operations align directly with the administration’s comprehensive approach to combating transnational organised crime and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain impenetrable to criminal enterprises seeking to compromise our sovereignty.
“Building upon our operational successes, the Service has intensified intelligence-led enforcement across all commands, focusing particularly on high-risk corridors and ports of entry.
“Our strategic partnerships with sister agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, operate under Memoranda of Understanding and joint operational frameworks that have enhanced our enforcement capabilities.”
Adeniyi continued, “Pursuant to Section 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and in the exercise of powers conferred therein, the Port Harcourt II Area Command has executed a series of targeted interdictions that underscore our operational effectiveness in protecting Nigerian citizens from the infiltration of prohibited substances.
“The Command has successfully intercepted a total of 16 containers with an aggregate Duty Paid Value of ₦20,549, 998, 200 as calculated in accordance with Service valuation protocols.
“Analysis of these seizures reveals sophisticated concealment tactics and systematic attempts to circumvent import protocols. Eleven (11) containers were found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products, including:1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each), 9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, 12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg each).
“Others are 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol (5mg each, 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg each), 717,360 tablets of Bisoveu, 2,200,000 tablets of Bassuka (50mg each).”
The CGC said, “These contraband items were concealed within legitimate consumer goods, including: 9,280 pieces of chilly cutters, 118 pieces of ceiling fans, and 2,610 pieces of plumbing materials. 2,268 pieces of Smart Tech vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, 700 cartons of cream.
“This modus operandi represents calculated attempts to exploit legitimate trade channels while evading regulatory scrutiny.”
While noting that the potential impact of these illicit pharmaceuticals on public health and national security cannot be overstated, the Customs boss said, “Unregulated drugs pose severe risks including drug addiction, compromised treatment outcomes, and the facilitation of organised criminal activities that threaten community safety and national stability.”
He commended all officers and men of the Port Harcourt II Area Command, whose ‘vigilance, professionalism, and dedication made these interdictions possible’, saying their actions exemplify the Service’s core values and demonstrate our collective commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and citizens.