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Customs Intercepts Unregistered Drugs Worth Over N27 Million Along Abidjan-Lagos Corridors. … Hands Over Drugs to Relevant Authority

By Anne Ejuka



Operatives of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted huge quantity of unregistered pharmaceuticals drugs smuggled into the country through the Abidjan -Lagos corridors.


The drugs, which included 1076 bottles of 100ml Morphin sulfate; 94 bottles of 60ml Amadiaquine suspension; 2,970 packages of 500mg Vermox; 390 packets by 1,000 tablets of 100mg Mepacrine tablets; 298 packets of 100mg Clofenac SR, 1,485 packages of 50mg Losartail Potassium and 499 packages of 400mg Virest 400 Aciclovir tablets have Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N27,861,538.00.


While handing over the smuggled unregistered drugs and Parading the arrested suspects in connection with the seizure of.553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa seized on the 21st of April to the relevant government agencies, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, said the unregistered pharmaceuticals were intercepted on May 9, along the Abidjan Lagos Corridor (ALCO), around 8:30am, during stop and search operation.


He said the drugs were concealed in a truck with registration number GL6663, belonging to a major conglomerate and on preliminary investigation revealed that the drugs were headed to Kaduna, through Abuja, noting the nexus between illicit drugs and violent crimes


He said, “It is of concern to us. Also recall that upon my assumption of duty here, we seized some fake US dollars currency and shortly after that, we also seized some fake International Passports of various countries. Now, we have seized these drugs.

“There could be a link. It is left for us to continue our investigation in collaboration with other security agencies, the outcome of which we will share with you, with approval;

But I think there is always a link illegal drug importation and financing of insurgency”.


On the latest seizure, the Compt. Said, The drugs bear the names of companies that already have license to operate in Nigeria. Even if they are found to be genuine from the place they are coming from, the fact that the bear the name and brand of company already licenced in the country makes it a crime.


“This seizure contravened both Nigeria Customs Service banning the importation of pharmaceutical products through land border without approval, and NAFDAC laws as they do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

“Further more, five out of the seven seized pharmaceutical products have expired.


“The command and indeed every Nigerian is worried about this particular seizure considering the dangerous use of morphine which is a derivate of opium. This drug can be deployed to illicit use to aid criminals”. Nnadi said.


While reiterating the commitment of the Command in fight smuggling under any guise, the command boss warned those trying its resolve to desist or they would meet their waterloo as the command remains resolute at ensuring adequate surveillance of the borders. 


The  command also handed over 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa which were intercepted during routine patrol to the Seme Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abubakar Wada.


He said the illicit substance was intercepted in a Ford Bus, adding that the parcels were packed in seven large bags, adding that four suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure


Compt. Nnadi said the Cannabis and the suspects handed over to NDLEA was in line with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) for necessary actions. 


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