The Nigeria Customs Service Oyo/Osun Area Command has intercepted counterfeit drugs valued at N1.7 billion, which have been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The seized pharmaceuticals, including Augmentin tablets, Ampiclox, and Amoxycillin capsules, were found hidden in 53 sacks.
NewsNow detailed on March 1, 2024, that the command, in a press conference, disclosed the seizure of the fake drugs and committed to transferring them to NAFDAC.
During the handover at the command’s third press conference for 2024, the Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, also announced that the command had remitted N5,673,615,718.56 to the Federal Government in March.
Present at the briefing were NAFDAC’s South-West Director and the Coordinating Director for all zones in Nigeria, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, along with Assistant Director Mr. Akinwale Fagoroyo, and other members of the NAFDAC team.
After receiving the fake drugs, Ajayi stated: “I will hand this over to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate. We will conduct laboratory tests to verify the contents as the packaging and labels indicate they are counterfeit.
“Before disposal, all regulated products undergo laboratory analysis to determine the contents packed under different drug names seen here. If the lab results confirm suspicions, which I am about 80% certain, the products will be destroyed.
“We have specialized destruction sites for this purpose, ensuring these items do not re-enter circulation. Monitoring the destruction process is crucial, and NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate will oversee this.”
Oramalugo earlier mentioned that the command had collected a total of N18,169,659,402.67 in revenue for the first quarter of 2024.
This first-quarter revenue included N5,673,615,718.56 in March and N12,496,043,684 for January and February.
In the period from March 1 to April 16, the command also seized 982 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at N86,416,000; Cannabis Sativa weighing 80.2 kg with a DPV of N5,495,000; and Tramadol (20 packs) valued at N1,000,000.
Among other seizures were used tyres, secondhand clothing, African textile materials, Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS), and Diazepam tablets.
Oramalugo emphasized: “In addition to revenue collection, the Oyo/Osun Area Command is stepping up anti-smuggling efforts to safeguard borders and prevent illicit trade that threatens national security and economic stability.
“Through intelligence-driven operations, coordination with law enforcement agencies, enhanced border surveillance, and advanced technology usage, we have intercepted various contraband items, ensuring the integrity of our borders and public health protection.”
Acknowledging the support received, Oramalugo thanked Customs’ Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the command’s personnel for their professionalism and collaboration with other security agencies.