Nigeria Customs Hands Over N37 Billion Worth of Unregistered Drugs to NDLEA and NAFDAC

In a recent operation, the Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over unregistered pharmaceuticals valued at N37 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos.

The intercepted shipments, which arrived at Lagos Port between January and October 2024, were imported from Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. Customs Area Controller of the Tin-Can Island Command, Dera Nnadi, reported that the illegal consignments included 929 cartons of Tramadol hidden within two 40-foot containers and cannabis indica packed in three additional 40-foot containers.

Breaking down the haul’s estimated worth, Nnadi disclosed that the Tramadol alone is valued at N23 billion, while 1,895,600 bottles of Codeine are worth N13 billion, and the cannabis indica has an estimated street value of N682 million.

Earlier, on October 2, 2024, the Command officially handed over 684 packets of cannabis indica, totaling 341.025 kg and worth N682 million, to NDLEA. The narcotics were concealed in three containers with serial numbers MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3. This collaboration underscores the ongoing commitment of NCS to partner with other agencies to prevent the entry of unregistered pharmaceuticals and drugs into Nigeria.

Highlighting the Command’s achievements over the past ten months, Nnadi stated that the NCS is committed to deploying all available resources and strategies to combat the illegal importation of unregistered drugs into the country.

“With the yuletide season approaching, we reassure compliant stakeholders that the Command will facilitate swift cargo clearance. However, for those who challenge our resolve, we stand ready to enforce the law,” Nnadi affirmed.

The handover event was attended by officials from NDLEA, NAFDAC, the Department of State Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Police Force, signaling a united front among agencies in the fight against illegal drug imports.