By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA, Abeokuta.
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intercepted no fewer than 33 cartons of substandard anti-malarial and antibiotic drugs valued at N20m.
The Command has also confiscated 500 bags of smuggled rice following the officers raiding of illegal warehouses at Okere Creek near Bawe Gbo, in Ipokia, Local Government area of Ogun state.
Briefing news men on the seizure at the Idiroko Border Post, the Customs Area Controller,Waindu Multaf, explained that customs operatives, acting on a tip-off, invaded the Creek warehouse and seized the smuggled bags of rice with duty value of N5.1m.
He disclosed that all the evacuated bags of rice and confiscated illicit drugs were safely deposited at the customs premises at Idiroko.
According to him, “Just last week, our operatives raided an illegal warehouse at Okere Creek near Bawe Gbo in Ipokia. The raid resulted in the confiscation of 500 bags of smuggled rice with duty paid value of N5.1m.
“Also seized are 33 cartons of substandard medicampents imported ilegally through the Nigeria/Benin Republic border. These medicaments which include 6 cartons of Fluclox injection, 4 cartons of Meropen injection, 4 cartons of Gold win dusting powder, 4 carton of Ondecan injection, 5 cartons of Meropen injection, 7 cartons Himadium capsules, 6 cartons of Artemether anti-malarial injection among others, all valued at N20m, were stored in this warehouse for onward transportation into the country to be sold in the open market”.
Comptroller Waindu later handed over the consignment of the confiscated drugs to the representative of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), however, reiterated that the command will not relent in its efforts to suppress smuggling activities to the barest minimum.
Also speaking with the Punch, the Officer in Charge, Port Inspection Directory of NAFDAC in Idiroko, Mr. Datol Bitrus Andrew, said the action of the Customs will go a long way in saving millions of people from fallen victims of the fake drugs.
He, however, expressed his disappointment that the importer of the substandard drugs was not nabbed saying such arrest would have served as a deterrent to others who engage in such dastard act.
According to him, the agency will continue to synergize with the customs to ensure illicit drugs and food items are prevented from finding their way into the country.
