₦9.2 Billion Worth of Counterfeit Drugs Seized
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and handed over 25 containers loaded with counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceutical products—valued at over ₦9.2 billion—to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that the dangerous consignments—mostly originating from India—were uncovered during operations at Nigerian ports. He said the intercepted drugs and products posed a severe threat to national health and public safety, branding the smugglers as “merchants of death.”
“This is not just about smuggling; it is a direct attack on the lives of Nigerians,” Adeniyi said. “We are determined to dismantle the criminal networks behind these shipments.”
What Was Seized?
The containers were filled with:
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Unregistered pharmaceuticals: including fake antibiotics (oxytetracycline, artesunate), codeine-based cough syrups (CSC brands), and sexual enhancement drugs (REDSUN, HYEGRA).
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Fake consumer goods: like Crusader soap and expired food items such as chocolate and margarine.
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Cosmetic and enhancement products: including skin-lightening creams (GBOGBONISE, SKIN CHEMIST), breast/hip enlargement drugs.
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Veterinary medicines and antimalarials: like albendazole tablets and Artepharm-Artequick.
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Tablets bearing fake NAFDAC numbers.
The seizures reflect a disturbing pattern of misdeclaration, concealment, and regulatory evasion, with perpetrators using sophisticated methods to disguise their illicit cargo.
Inter-agency Crackdown
Adeniyi credited the operation to renewed synergy between Customs and NAFDAC, strengthened by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November 2024. This MoU has enabled joint investigations, real-time intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement against drug smuggling syndicates.
He commended NAFDAC’s Director-General and technical teams, who, he revealed, worked tirelessly—sometimes responding to alerts in the middle of the night—to identify dangerous items. “Their support has been crucial in making these interceptions possible,” Adeniyi said.
Wider Implications
According to the Customs chief, over 200 containers have been intercepted through joint operations led by the Office of the National Security Adviser, with counterfeit pharmaceuticals accounting for 63.7% of the total seizure value.
“If these items had made it to the market,” Adeniyi warned, “the consequences for human life and national stability would have been catastrophic.”
He issued a stern warning to all players in the international trade chain—from freight operators to terminal owners and clearing agents—emphasizing that any complicity in such criminal activity will be met with full legal consequences.
Technological Edge and Vigilance
Adeniyi stated that Customs is now equipped with advanced intelligence and technology systems capable of detecting illegal goods regardless of concealment methods. He specifically praised the Apapa Port Command for its vigilance and professionalism.
“This handover is more than symbolic—it is a clear message: Nigeria’s borders are not open to those who endanger public safety for profit,” Adeniyi said.
The collaboration between Customs, NAFDAC, and the NDLEA is expected to continue, with strategic focus on tracking sources, dismantling networks, and enhancing border security to protect Nigerians from harmful and illicit products.
