The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 16 containers containing illicit substances and unregistered pharmaceutical products imported from India, the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos with a Duty Paid Value of N37 billion.
The Customs command displayed the confiscated drugs today, which include, 920 cartons of tramadol in two 40ft containers worth N23 billion; 1,894,600 bottles of Codeine in eleven 40ft containers worth N13 billion and 341 kilo grammes of Cannabis Indica in three 40ft containers worth N682 million.
The Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command, Dera Nnadi, stated that the containers, carrying various drugs, were discharged between May 17 and October 23, 2024, via six vessels, which are four from Hapag Lloyd and two from the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Among the seized items were multiple shipments of codeine-based cough syrups, including Barcadin with Codeine, Broncleer with Codeine, and DSP with Codeine for throat and chesty coughs (100 ml, 200 bottles per carton).
Additional items included 420 cartons of Royal 225 Tapentadol HVCL 125 mg, Carisoprodol BP 100 mg, 200 cartons of 5 mg Benzhexol tablets, as well as 100 packs per carton of 50mg of diclofenac sodium tablets and various packets of cannabis.
Also confiscated were other goods such as ceiling fans, Deluxe Chili Cutters, stainless steel blenders, and Biomal Artesunate Injections.
Nnadi confirmed the drugs’ origins, stating that Barcadin, Diclofenac tablets, Benzhexol, and DSP with Codeine were imported from India; Biomal Artesunate Injections from the United Kingdom; and Cannabis Indica from Canada.
He said the inspection of these containers was carried out by multiple enforcement agencies, including Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Nnadi handed over 13 containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC, in addition to the 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025 kg, which were previously surrendered on October 2, 2024, with an estimated street value of N682 million.
“These narcotics were discovered in three 40-foot containers (MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3) as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination,” Nnadi stated.
Regarding revenue generation, the Nnadi said the Customs Command recorded N1.04 trillion during the period under review.
Nnadi emphasised that secure borders contribute to increased revenue at seaports and expressed appreciation for the support from stakeholders, sister agencies, and Customs officers.
