The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over three 20-foot containers laden with expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this during the formal handover ceremony on Friday.
He said the seized containers comprised large quantities of expired and unregistered drugs, including Tramadol and Diclofenac tablets, intercepted through intensified anti-smuggling operations at the port.
According to Onyeka, two of the containers, with numbers PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets, while a third container, MSKU413519/1, was laden with expired Diclofenac Sodium tablets without valid NAFDAC registration.
In total, the three containers held 706 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, posing serious risks to public safety if allowed into circulation.
According to Onyeka, the seizure reflected the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerians from harmful and substandard products.
The Customs boss added that the Command had continued to record significant operational successes through enhanced cargo examination, intelligence-led enforcement and sustained inter-agency collaboration.
“Beyond these seizures, the Command has remained proactive in intercepting prohibited and falsely declared goods, including controlled pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition, narcotics, and other items capable of undermining public safety and economic stability.
“At the same time, we have continued to facilitate legitimate trade and contribute significantly to revenue generation, in line with the core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Onyeka said.
He commended NAFDAC for its consistent cooperation, noting that the synergy between both agencies had yielded positive outcomes in preventing fake, substandard and expired drugs from reaching the Nigerian populace. Onyeka also praised officers and men of the Command for their resilience and dedication to duty.
He assured the general public that the Command would remain resolute in combating illicit trade, enforcing compliance with extant laws and working closely with sister agencies to safeguard lives and property.