The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted seven 20ft containers loaded with pharmaceutical products imported into the country from China, without NAFDAC registration number.
According to Customs Area Controller in Apapa, Jibril Musa, the drugs were falsely declared by the importer to be Cimetidine which is another type of medication but were uncovered by vigilant officers through intelligence signal.
Also, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Ijeoma Nwala, said: “The CGC Ali Hameed has equipped us well with regular capacity building programmes and work-tools to enhance efficiency in our operations.
“Investigations are on-going and sanctions must be applied in line with the extant laws.
“However, the seized drugs would be handed over to NAFDAC for necessary action.
“Aside from drugs, we also intercepted some export containers of scrap metal, leather and unprocessed wood that are under export prohibition extant laws.
“Apapa Command has maintained its lead position as the highest revenue generating Unit in the Service, as we raked in N136.3billion from January to May, 2017.
“This is an unprecedented feat in view of the present economic down turn.
“The revenue realised shows a significant increase of N38.7billion when compared to N98.1billion collected in the same period last year.”
The Command’s management further warned that wrong use of drugs not registered and approved by NAFDAC can cause serious health hazards capable of claiming innocent lives.
In his response, the Assistant Director of NAFDAC, Oluyemi Ogunrinde, commended the timely intervention of Apapa Custom in seizing the drugs, stressing that medications were delicate items that must be properly handled to protect the health of innocent citizens in the whole country.
“We thank Comptroller Musa for his wealth of experience in the job and in training officers under his supervision to work efficiently”, he enthused.
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