The Nigeria Customs Service’s Oyo/Osun Area Command intercepted counterfeit drugs valued at N1.7bn, which were hidden in 53 sacks.
The fake medications, including Augmentin tablets, Ampiclox, and Amoxycillin capsules, were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) during a press conference on March 1, 2024.
The Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, also revealed that the command remitted N5,673,615,718.56 to the Federal Government in March. Representatives from NAFDAC, including the South-West Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, and Assistant Director Mr. Akinwale Fagoroyo, were present at the briefing.
After the handover, Ajayi stated, “I am going to hand this over to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate. We would take a sample to the laboratory to be sure of what the content is because, from the packaging and the labels, we can see that they are fake.
“But we will take a step ahead; we don’t destroy any regulated product without analysis, so it will still be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine what they have concocted together and called the different names of drugs packed here. And if the outcome of the laboratory, which I am like 80 per cent sure will fail, then it will go for destruction.
“And we have dedicated destruction sites where we can conduct destruction exercises so that it does not go back to the public and into circulation. We have to monitor the destruction because we can’t just destroy like a refuse. We must monitor it and that’s going to be done by the Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement.”
In his earlier statement, the Area Controller revealed that the command had collected a total of N18,169,659,402.67 in revenue for the first quarter of 2024. This amount included N5,673,615,718.56 generated in March, as well as N12,496,043,684 generated in January and February.
During the period from March 1 to April 16, 2024, the command seized various items, including 982 bags of foreign parboiled rice with a duty paid value of N86,416,000; 12 sacks and 40 wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing 80.2 kg with a DPV of N5,495,000; and 20 packs of Tramadol with a DPV of N1,000,000.
Additionally, the command confiscated 254 used tyres with a DPV of N24,384,000; six sacks of secondhand clothing with a DPV of N2,557,440; 25 bales of secondhand clothing with a DPV of N8,880,000; 27 bales of African original textile material with a DPV of N12,757,500; 494 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a DPV of N8,151,000; and one pack of Diazepam tablets with a DPV of N20,000.
He stated , “In tandem with our revenue collection efforts, the Oyo/Osun Area Command has intensified its anti-smuggling activities to safeguard our borders and protect our economy from illicit trade practices.
“The act of snuggling poses a grave threat to our national security and economic stability, and we are committed to combating this menace with unwavering resolve.
“Through targeted intelligence-led operations, collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, enhanced border surveillance and the utilisation of advanced technology, we have seized various contraband items, including narcotics (Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol tablets), foreign parboiled rice, Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS), secondhand clothing and used tyres.
“These interceptions underscore our commitment to thwarting attempts to smuggle prohibited items into our communities, thereby upholding the integrity of our borders, safeguarding public health and safeguarding the interests of our nation.”
Oramalugo expressed gratitude to the Customs Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, for backing the command’s efforts in fulfilling its responsibilities in Oyo and Osun states.
He also extended his thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde for his support and appreciated the commitment, professionalism, and teamwork of the command’s officers and staff in working alongside other security agencies.
