By Adaku Onyenucheya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, destroyed 96 containers of illicit and expired pharmaceuticals, energy drinks and other products worth N12.8 billion imported through the seaports and land borders in the Southwest region of the country.
The destruction, which was at the Epe dumpsite in Lagos, was done in collaboration with other sister agencies, including National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The destroyed items include tramadol tablets, codeine cough syrup, diclofenac tablets and injections, pramo sex, viagra tablets, black cobra tablets, sildenafil citrate tablets, chakapain extra tablets, mebendazole tablets, Royal chest lung tablets, Dr. Ibramol tablets, Omeprazole capsule, Cotrimoxazole tablets.
Others are Diavita loperamide capsules, Diarrhea stop, Chlorphanamene malfate capsules as well as energy drinks and other products that failed to meet the statutory import guidelines.
Addressing newsmen, the Assistant Controller General of NCS in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investment, Adonye Dappa-Williams, said the items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction.
He said the items were imported into the country through the seaports and land borders in the Southwest region of the country, noting that the destruction is to discourage the importation and consumption of these items.
He thanked sister agencies for their continuous collaboration and synergy in achieving this giant stride.
The representative of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Jemila Ashiru, attributed the success of the seizures and destruction to the improved presence and collaboration among the sister agencies at the ports.
She said the drugs are unregistered, uncontrolled and expired, adding that the large volume destroyed would have affected the health of Nigerians if allowed into the system.
According to her, the legal department of the sister agencies are processing the arrest of the importers, who would be prosecuted soon.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Ogbudu Thomas, said the agency is delighted by the approval to destroy the narcotics and psychotropic substances as well as other dangerous and harmful goods.
He said the harmful effects of these illicit items in society cannot be overemphasised as it has destroyed countless lives of youths, families and the economy as well as led to an upsurge in crime in society.
Source: The Guardian