From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Area 11 Command of the Nigeria Customs , Onne , Rivers State said that it has intercepted 20 containers laden with illicit drugs with a duty paid value of N13,573,430,630.00 at Onne in Rivers State.
The outgone Controller of Area 11 Command Onne , Comptroller Mohammed Babandede displayed the intercepted containers before journalists at Onne on Tuesday shortly after handling over the leadership of the Command to the new Comptroller, Aliyu Alkali.
He said the intercepted containers were laden with 1,195,400 bottles of codeine syrup, 3,200,000 tablets of extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of benzhexol, 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipments and 2,612,400 analgin injection packages.
Other drugs laden in the container were 239,400 packages of diluent ampoules of atesunate injection and 399,700 packages of diluent ampoules of expired aretemac injection.
Babandede said the drugs which were imported from India were carefully smuggled using the tactics of concealing them under the disguise of regular imports of 6,720 pieces of chilly cutters, 192 cartons of bench vice , 30 pieces of ceiling fans , 479 pieces of plumbing materials, 6,048 pieces of blades and other items such as hoes, wall lights, bale of used clothes and gallons of sahala vegetable oil.
He said that Nigeria has long struggled with the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medication which he said posed a significant risk to public health with potential fatal outcomes.
He said , “Exactly 6 weeks ago, the Comptroller-General of Customs and Director General of NAFDAC were here where some containers of illicit medicine were intercepted and handed over to NAFDAC. Their joint visit wasn’t just specifically about the intercepted containers of illicit medicine but marked a significant step in their collaborative efforts to combat fake and substandard drugs.
“In furtherance of this commitment to public health and safety , I am pleased to share a recent significant breakthrough in our on going efforts to combat illicit trade in medicine. I will brief you on recent interceptions of containers of different types of some illicit pharmaceutical and other goods.
“Some people take illicit medicine for different reasons without a professional medical prescription. For example, codeine syrup and tramadol might be misused for their euphoric effects or to feel relaxed , which often leads to addiction, dependence and crime.
“The Command successfully intercepted a total of 20 containers with a combined duty paid value of N13,573,430,630.00bn. The highlight of the drugs intercepted were : 1,195,400 bottles of codeine syrup, 3,200,000 tablets of extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of benzhexol, 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipments and 2,612,400 analgin injection packages.
“Other were 239,400 packages of diluent ampoules of atesunate injection and 399,700 packages of diluent ampoules of expired aretemac injection.
“The drugs which were imported from India were carefully snuggled using the tactics of concealing then under the disguise of regular imports of 6,720 pieces of chilly cutters, 192 cartons of bench vice , 30 pieces of ceiling fans , 479 pieces of plumbing materials, 6,048 pieces of blades and other items such as hoes, wall lights, bale of used clothes and gallons of sahala vegetable oil.”
He said that the total dedication and commitment of the officers of the command to duty played a crucial role in successfully executing the interdictions.
The outgone Controller had earlier handed over the leadership of the Command ato the new Controller, Aliyu Akali who promised to take the command to a greater height.
