The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, achieved a significant victory against illicit trade by intercepting and handing over 25 containers of unregistered and prohibited goods to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). These seized goods, with a staggering duty paid value of N9.2 billion, underscore the persistent threat posed by criminal networks exploiting regulatory loopholes to endanger public health and safety. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the seizure as indicative of a complex web of criminal activity aimed at undermining national health security. This operation serves as a testament to the intensified efforts of the NCS to safeguard the nation’s borders and protect its citizens from harmful products.
A detailed breakdown of the seized containers reveals a disturbing trend of misdeclaration and deliberate attempts to bypass import regulations. The 25 containers, comprising 21 forty-foot and 4 twenty-foot units, contained a diverse range of illicit goods. Predominantly, the containers housed unregistered pharmaceuticals, including counterfeit medications and sexual enhancement drugs like Redsun and Hyegra sildenafil citrate. Further compounding the threat, the containers also held codeine-based cough syrups, antibiotic injections, and tablets with falsified NAFDAC registration numbers. This alarming assortment of prohibited substances underscores the multifaceted nature of the illicit trade and its potential to inflict widespread harm.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, the seized containers also contained a variety of other prohibited and expired items. These included expired food products such as margarine and chocolate, posing a risk to consumer safety. Veterinary medications, antimalarial drugs, and even consumer goods like soap were also discovered, demonstrating the breadth of the smugglers’ operations. This diverse range of illicit goods highlights the criminals’ intent to exploit various markets and underscores the need for continued vigilance across all sectors. The complexity and scale of this operation emphasize the sophisticated nature of these criminal networks and their ability to adapt to market demands.
The handover of these containers represents a tangible outcome of the strengthened collaboration between the NCS and NAFDAC, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November 2024. The establishment of an implementation committee has further bolstered this partnership, leading to significant strides in joint enforcement efforts against harmful food and pharmaceutical products. This collaborative framework facilitates coordinated operations, joint investigations, and improved intelligence sharing, enabling both agencies to effectively target and dismantle criminal networks involved in illicit trade. The success of this operation underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating transnational criminal activities.
The NCS, in collaboration with NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), remains steadfast in its commitment to combating the “merchants of death” who profit from the trade of harmful products. Under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser, joint operations have yielded remarkable results, including the seizure of over 200 containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products. These coordinated efforts, often culminating in the destruction of seized goods, demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to illicit trade and a commitment to protecting public health and social well-being.
This successful operation further reinforces the NCS’s commitment to strengthening border security and implementing robust anti-smuggling measures. By leveraging intelligence-led enforcement strategies and enhancing technological capabilities, the NCS aims to make its seaports, airports, and land borders impenetrable to smuggling operations. The service is committed to holding all stakeholders accountable, including haulage operators and bonded terminal owners, and will utilize its full statutory powers to prosecute those complicit in illegal activities. This firm stance on regulatory compliance sends a strong message to potential smugglers and further strengthens the nation’s defense against illicit trade. The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, echoed this commitment, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to eradicating fake and substandard products from Nigerian markets and calling on citizens to actively participate in reporting suspicious activities. This collaborative approach, combining robust enforcement with public awareness, is crucial to safeguarding public health and maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s marketplace.
