- Comptroller Nnadi hands over seized Marijuana to NDLEA
The Seme Border Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N27.8million concealed in a truck of a leading conglomerate in-bound Nigeria even as premium motor spirit (PMS) worth N11million was also seized by the Command’s operatives.
Disclosing this during a press conference today, the Area Controller of Seme Border Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, noted that the affected company in connection with the pharmaceuticals had written officially to exonerate itself from the fraudulent action.
Compt. Nnadi also noted that preliminary investigations have revealed that five out of the seven seized pharmaceutical products have expired and the apprehended suspects claimed the drugs were heading to Kaduna State.
The unregistered pharmaceutical products valued at N27,861,538 were: Morphine Sulfate 100ml x 1076 bottles; Amodiaquine Suspension 60ml x 94 bottles; Vermox 500mg x 2970 packages; Mepacrine Tablets 100mg x 390 packets x 1000 tablets; Clofenac SR 100mg x 298 packets x 10 sachets x 10 tablets; Losartail Potassium 50mg x packages x 2 sachets x 28 tablets; Virest 400 ACICLOVIR tablets; and B.P 400mg x 499 packages x 5 sachets x 5 tablets.
“On the 9th of May 2023 at about 0830hrs, officers and men of Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service while conducting stop and search along Abidjan Lagos Corridor intercepted a truck with registration number GL 6663 GH belonging to one of the major conglomerates concealed with some cartons of pharmaceutical products,” the Customs boss said.
He stressed that the seizure contravened both Customs ban on the importation of pharmaceutical products through the land border without approval and further contravened NAFDAC laws as they do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.
“The Command and indeed every Nigerian is worried about this particular seizure considering the dangerous use of morphine which is a derivate of opium. This drug can be deployed to illicit use to aid criminals. Let me reiterate our commitment to fight smuggling under any guise and also states that those trying our resolve will continue to meet their water-loo as we remain resolute at ensuring adequate surveillance of our borders,” Nnadi posited.
He equally noted that in the promotion of inter-agency collaboration and synergy, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) directed that the recently seized 553 parcels of cannabis sativa and 2 suspects arrested in connection should be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
While Nnadi observed that the 1200 jerry cans equivalent to 36000 liters was valued at N11,271,690.93 only; he warned perpetuators of such illicit trade to quit or continue losing their resources.
Also speaking at the conference, the Director, NAFDAC Seme Command, Dr. Nurudeeen Audi Usman stressed that pharmaceutical imports had been banned from all land borders as a result of product cloning and fraudulent practices.
He explained that only international airports and the Apapa seaport are authorized locations for pharmaceutical imports, adding that NAFDAC has been carrying out stakeholders sensitization on the issue which is also captured on the agencies official website.
While receiving the cannabis sativa seizures on behalf of NDLEA, the Commander, Seme Command, Barr. Abubakar Wadda commended Customs for the collaboration even as he lamented that the high crime rate especially; banditry, kidnappings and armed robbery are fueled by availability of hard drugs and substances.