The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), on Thursday, destroyed 96 containers loaded with illicit, fake and expired drugs worth over N12.89 billion.
The destruction was monitored by officers of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Directorate of State Service (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the drugs destroyed are: Tramadol tablets; Codeine cough syrup; Diclofenac tablets and injections; Pramo sex; Yagra tablets; Black cobra tablets; Sildenafil citrate tablets; Chakapain extra tablets and Mebendazole tablets.
Others are: Royal chest lung tablets; Dr. Ibramol tablets;Omeprazole capsule; Cotrimoxazole tablets; Diavita loperamide capsules; Diarrhea stop and Chlorpheniramine malfate capsules.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP on the sidelines of the destruction of the contrabands in Lagos, the assistant comptroller general of Customs, Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Adonye Dappa-Williams, said most of the seized drugs are prohibited, expired and failed to meet the statutory import guidelines.
According to the Customs ACG, the harmful effects of the illicit drugs in the society cannot be overemphasized as it has destroyed countless lives of youth, families and led to an upsurge of crime in the society.
He said: “I welcome you all to witness the destruction of seized 96 containers of illicit, prohibited and expired pharmaceutical products such as Codeine cough syrup; Diclofenac tablets and injections; Pramo sex; Yagra tablets; Black cobra tablets; Sildenafil citrate tablets; Chakapain extra tablets and Mebendazole tablets.
“Others are Royal chest lung tablets; Dr. Ibramol tablets; Omeprazole capsule; Cotrimoxazole tablets; Diavita loperamide capsules; Diarrhea stop and Chlorpheniramine maleate capsules.
“We also have other products that failed to meet the statutory import guidelines for destruction e.g. Energy drinks.
“The aforementioned items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction with a duty paid value of N12.9 billion.
“As you all know, the harmful effects of these illicit items on our society cannot be overemphasised as it has destroyed countless lives of our youths, families and led to an upsurge in crime in our society.”
He, however, disclosed that the destruction was to discourage importation of the banned items, especially tramadol and Codeine Syrup.
“Through this destruction, we are discouraging the importation and consumption of these items. Let me also use this opportunity to thank our sister Agencies for their continuous collaboration and synergy in achieving this giant stride,” he said.
Also speaking, the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate Officer of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Jemila Ashiru, said some of the drugs destroyed are controlled, fake and expired.
Ashiru, however, emphasised the influence of the collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC in the interception of the banned drugs.
“The destruction is the result of the collaboration between the two agencies in the port. Most of these products are not registered and some are controlled. Imagine if these huge amounts of uncontrolled and unregistered drugs had gone into the markets, then the damage would have been better imagined,” he stressed.
Also speaking, the assistant commander of narcotics, NDLEA, Ogbudu Thomas, reiterated the harmful effects of the drugs on the society.
“We know how potent and dangerous narcotics and psychotropic substances are. They are dangerous drugs that are harmful not just to those who take them but the society. The degree of damage drugs do to a nation cannot be overemphasised. It creates health problems for the users, economic problems for those who are indulged in it as business because they make illicit money,” he added.
He stated that the illicit drugs damage the fabric of every nation and hinted that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programmme is aimed at bringing everyone on board to fight these drug abuse and disseminate information of the dangers of drug abuse.
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