Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area II Command, Onne, Rivers State, have successfully intercepted 20 containers filled with illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over N13.5 billion in duty paid terms.
The outgoing Controller of the Area II Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made the announcement on Wednesday while displaying the seized consignments before journalists in Onne. Following the briefing, Babandede officially handed over the leadership of the command to his successor, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali.
According to Babandede, 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 equipment, and 2,612,400 analgin injection packages. Additionally, authorities discovered 239,400 packages of diluent ampoules of artesunate injection and 399,700 packages of diluent ampoules of expired artemac injection.
Babandede revealed that the illicit drugs, imported from India, were concealed under the guise of genuine imports. Items used to disguise the contraband included 6,720 pieces of chilly cutters, 192 cartons of bench vices, 30 ceiling fans, 479 pieces of plumbing materials, 6,048 pieces of blades, as well as hoes, wall lights, bales of used clothes, and gallons of sahala vegetable oil.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s ongoing battle against counterfeit and substandard medicines, stressing that such products pose serious health risks with potentially fatal outcomes.
“Exactly six weeks ago, the Comptroller-General of Customs and the 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,” Babandede said.
Highlighting the significance of the latest seizure, he explained: “In furtherance of this commitment to public health and safety, I am pleased to share a recent significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade in medicine. I will brief you on recent interceptions of containers of different types of illicit pharmaceuticals 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 N13,573,430,630.00.”
The Customs boss attributed the successful operation to the unwavering commitment and professionalism of the officers of the Area II Command.
This development comes barely a day after the Onne Command announced that it had generated N859 billion in revenue between May 2024 and July 2025.
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