The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered an attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country using a fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, as part of a sweeping enforcement operation that led to the seizure of contraband worth N53.4 billion.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the development on Thursday during the handover of seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and NAFDAC at the Apapa Area Command.
According to Adeniyi, one of the intercepted consignments contained 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a forged NAFDAC registration number and fraudulent documents intended to portray the products as legally approved for distribution in Nigeria.
He explained that although the shipment initially appeared authentic, thorough verification confirmed that the medicines were never registered by NAFDAC.
“The use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious risk to public health,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss revealed that the fake registration case was among nine major seizures made by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, scanning technology, physical examination and collaboration with the NDLEA.
The seizures included large quantities of Cannabis Sativa, codeine syrup, expired pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items intercepted in containers arriving through the Apapa Port.
Among the interceptions were two 40-foot containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa concealed alongside imported vehicles, automobile spare parts and household goods. One container contained 3,639 parcels of cannabis weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, while another held 9,918 sachets weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes.
Customs officers also intercepted two containers carrying 3,398 cartons—equivalent to 339,800 bottles—of codeine syrup hidden inside consignments of insulated casserole dishes and other household items.
In addition, three containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxicillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections, were seized for regulatory action. Another container carrying Piccan Teething Powder was also intercepted.
Adeniyi said the seizures underscore the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to safeguarding public health, strengthening national security and protecting the country’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he stated.
He added that all seized narcotic drugs have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
The Comptroller-General further disclosed that vehicles, automobile spare parts and other items used to conceal the prohibited goods would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service pending forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement procedures in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
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