By Oluseye Ojo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 53 sacks of fake pharmaceutical drugs with duty paid value of N1,739,000,000.00 at Bakatari, which is the boundary between Oyo and Ogun states.
The Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Area Command .Ben Oramalugo, made the disclosure yesterday while showcasing the achievements of the command from January 19th to February 29th, 2024.
Besides, he said the command generated between February 1st and 27th 2024, the sum of N5,664,295751.15, saying when added to N6,824,954,338.96 already collected for the period of January, this year, the commutative sum of N12,489,250,090.11 was collected so far for the 2024 fiscal year by the command.
According to him, the seized drugs were in three categories: Aaugmentin tablets, Ampoclox and Amoxycillin capsules that were carefully concealed in a truck and were being transported to the Northern part of the country before the interception.
Oramalugo explained that the Augmentin Tablets (625mg) were packed in seven sacks with duty paid value(DPV) of N819million, while the Ampiclox Capules were also concealed inside 22 sacks with DPV of N440million. He added that the Amoxycillin Capsules (500mg) were also hid in 24 sacks with DPV of N480million.
He added during the press briefing that after the truck conveying the fake drugs was intercepted, the National Agency for Food Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC) was invited to confirm whether the drugs were fake or genuine. He explained that the test results showed that the drugs were fake ones.
Oramalugo stated that the drugs would be handed over to NAFDAC as soon as all necessary procedures were completed at the customs headquarters in Abuja. But he noted that if the fake drugs had found their way into the public, it would have wreaked monumental havoc to the health of Nigerians, especially those that would buy and use them innocently, without knowing that the drugs were counterfeits.
He stated further that the command also seized 340 (50 kilogrammes each) bags of foreign parboiled rice with DPV of N24,218,000.00; 344 kegs (25 litres each) of Premium Motor Spirit with DPV of N5,728,500.00; four wraps of hemp (four kilogrammes) with DPV of N126,000; as well as 1,309 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N70,140,000; and 45 Sacks of used clothings and shoes with DPV of NN32,400,000; as well as separate eight sacks and nine bales of used clothings and shoes with DPV of N10,320,000.
Oramalugo also revealed that the command intercepted 34 cartons and five bottles of foreign wine with DPV of N6,231,206; and 40 bottles (five litres) and 21 bottles (one litre) of foreign vegetable oil with DPVs of N1,760,000 and N99,225 respectively.
“We are committed to facilitating trade in essential commodities and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance food security. All borders within the Command’s Area of Responsibility are still closed due to the Federal Government policy on border closure, and as such command officers remain vigilant and dedicated to preventing the smuggling of items that could compromise the health and well-being of our citizens,” he said.