Seme Customs Intercepts Unregistered Pharmaceutical Products , Seizes 553 Parcels Of Cannabis Sativa

By Asuquo Nuwak

The Seme Customs Area Command under the leadership of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products and handed over 553 parcels of seized cannabis sativa to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
Comptroller Dera Nnadi made this disclosure during media briefing on the recent activities of Seme Customs Area Command, especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations. As a discipline officer, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has made significant impact in the area of anti- smuggling operations which has resulted in the seizure of various items ranging from Morphine Sulfate 100mlx1076 bottles, Amodiaquine Suspension 60mlx94 bottles, Vermox 500mg x 2970 packages x 1 sachet x 1tablet, Mepacrine tablets 100mg x 390 packets x1000 tablets, Clofenac SR 100mg x 298 packets x 10 sachets x 10 tablets , Osartail Potassium 50mg, 1485 packages of x 2 sackets x 28 tablets and Virest 400 Aciclovir tablets, B. P
400mg x 499 packages x5 sackets x 5 tablets with the Duty Paid of N27, 861, 538.00 (Twenty-seven million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira) only.
The report made available revealed that a truck with registration number GL 6663 belonging to one of the major conglomerates concealed with some cartons of pharmaceutical products was intercepted by the officers and men of Seme Customs Area Command while conducting stop and search along Abidjan Lagos Corridor.
Recall that upon assumption in office as the Area Customs Controller, he pledged to adopt new strategies to boost trade while enforcing the nation’s anti-smuggling laws along Abidjan Lagos Corridor in line with the ECOWAS protocols on the free movement of goods and persons which translates into remarkable achievements recorded so far by the command.

Besides this, the seizure contravened Nigeria Customs Service which banned importation of pharmaceutical products through the land border without approval while further contravening NAFDAC registration numbers.

Furthermore, five out of the seven pharmaceutical products upon proper examination were discovered to be expired products.
The seized unregistered pharmaceutical products have a Duty Paid Value of Twenty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira (N27, 861, 538.00) only.

Comptroller Dera Nnadi said Seme Customs Command and indeed Nigerian are worried about this particular seizure considering the dangerous use of morphine which is a derivate of opium. In addition to this, the drug is believed to be deployed for illicit use to aid criminals.

8.He reiterated the commitment to fight smuggling under any guise, while also stated that those trying to stop the command’s firm decision to fight against smuggling will continue to meet their water-loo as the Command remain resolute at ensuring adequate surveillance of land borders.

Recall that, on 21st of April, 2023, the officer of the Command on a routine patrol along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor intercepted a Ford Bus conveying Seven (7) large sacks containing five hundred and fifty-three (553) parcels and four suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.

His words: “in line with the dictates of the Nigeria Customs Service in the promotion of inter-agency collaboration and synergy, the CGC Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali Rtd), directed that the seized items and two (2) suspects should be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation”.

In the same vein, the 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and two (2) suspects were handed over to NDLEA, in addition to the two (2) other suspects who were earlier handed over to the sister security agency for necessary action.

Above all, he thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the management of Customs for the encouragement and support to the Command. He also give credit for their success to the tireless effort of officers and men of Seme Area Command for their doggedness. He equally appreciated gentlemen of the press for always heeding their call to propagate their message of anti-smuggling to the society.