By Chinonye Anyatonwu
Comptroller Dera Nnadi ,(2nd left) , handing over Cannabis Sativa seized by the Command , to the representative of the NDLEA, in Seme , yesterday.
Men and officers of Seme Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Services( NCS) has intercepted Unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N27, 861, 538.00
along Abidjan Lagos Corridor.
The illegal drugs were seized on May 9, 2023 , when the officers were on Patrol along the Abidjan – Lagos Corridor ,553 parcels of cannabis sativa were also intercepted , when the officers were conducting stop and search on same route.
Briefing the Media men on the seizures at the Command’s Office in Seme on Thursday, the Controller of Seme Command , Comptroller Dera Nnadi said the cartons of pharmaceutical products were concealed in a truck with registration number GL 6663 GH belonging to one of the major conglomerates .
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the 553 parcels of cannabis sativa in a Ford Bus intercepted by the operatives , conveying seven large sacks of the indian hemp.
The truck when properly examined at the Command’s Station at Seme , the following unregistered pharmaceutical products were discovered:
The items
include ,MORPHINE SULFATE 100ml x 1076 bottles;AMODIAQUINE SUSPENSION 60ml x 94 bottles; VERMOX 500mg x 2970 packages x 1 sachet x 1 tablet;MEPACRINE TABLETS 100mg x 390 packets x 1000 tablets;CLOFENAC SR 100mg x 298 packets x 10 sachets x 10 tablets ;
Others are LOSARTAIL POTASSIUM 50mg x 1485 packages x 2 sachets x 28 tablets.and VIREST 400 ACICLOVIR tablets. B.P 400mg x 499 packages x 5 sachets x 5 tablets.
Compt. Nnadi said the seizure contravened both the Customs law , banning the importation of pharmaceutical products through the land border, without approval , while it also contravenes NAFDAC laws, as they do not have NAFDAC registration numbers, adding that five out of the seven seized pharmaceutical products have also expired.
He disclosed that the Command and indeed every Nigerian is worried about this particular seizure, considering the dangerous use of morphine which is a derivate of opium, pointing out that the drug can also be deployed for illicit use to aid criminals.
Dera reiterated the Command’s commitment to fight smuggling under any guise adding also that those trying the Command’s resolve will continue to meet their water-loo as it remains resolute at ensuring adequate surveillance of our borders.
Compt.Dera while handing over the Cannabis Sativa and two (2) suspects to the representative of the NDLEA, explained that the other two suspects had earlier been handed over to the sister security agency for necessary action.
He said that the handing over was done in line with the dictates of the Customs , in the promotion of inter-agency collaboration and synergy and according to the directive of the CGC, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, rtd , that the items and two suspects should be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
Receiving the items, Abubakar Wada, the Unit Commander of the NDLEA Seme command, said the hard drugs would be investigated before destroying them.
Wada said the seizure would further reduce consumption of hard drugs by the people in the country.
He commended the Seme Command of Customs for handing over the dangerous drugs to the NDLEA operatives.
The command boss appreciates CGC and the management of Customs for their encouragement and support to the Command, saying that the credit for the Command’s success has been due to the tireless effort of officers and men of Seme Area Command for their doggedness and the media for their prompt response.
