Going, Going, Gone! Customs destroys 96 containers of illicit drugs, energy drinks worth N12.8bn in Lagos [Photos/Video]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday destroyed seized 96 containers of illicit, prohibited and expired pharmaceuticals, energy drinks and other products worth N12.8 billion in Lagos.
The destruction held at the Epe dumpsite in Lagos and witnessed by NewsClick Nigeria correspondent was done in collaboration with other sister agencies, including National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The destroyed items include tramadol tablets, codeine cough syrup, diclofenac tablets and injections, pramo sex, viagra tablets, black cobra tablets, sildenafil citrate tablets, chakapain extra tablets, mebendazole tablets, Royal chest lung tablets, Dr. Ibramol tablets, Omeprazole capsule, Cotrimoxazole tablets.
Others are; Diavita loperamide capsules, Diarrhea stop, Chlorphanamene malfate capsules as well as energy drinks and other products that failed to meet the statutory import guidelines.
Addressing newsmen during the exercise, the Assistant Controller General of NCS in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investment, Adonye Dappa-Williams, said the items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction.
He said the items were imported into the country through the seaports and land borders in the Southwest region of the country, noting that the destruction is to discourage the importation and consumption of these items.
“As you all know, the harmful effects of these illicit items on our society cannot be overemphasized as it has destroyed countless lives of our youths, families and led to an upsurge in crime in our society,” the ACG said.
He thanked sister agencies for their continuous collaboration and synergy in achieving this giant stride.
Meanwhile, representative of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Jemila Ashiru, attributed the success of the seizures and destruction to the improved presence and collaboration among the sister agencies at the ports.
She said the drugs are unregistered, uncontrolled and expired, adding that the large volume destroyed would have affected the health of Nigerians if allowed into the system.
According to her, the legal department of the sister agencies are processing the arrest of the importers, who would be prosecuted soon.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Ogbudu Thomas, said the agency is delighted by the approval to destroy the narcotics and psychotropic substances as well as other dangerous and harmful goods.
He said the harmful effects of these illicit items in society cannot be overemphasised as it has destroyed countless lives of youths, families and the economy as well as led to an upsurge in crime in society.
See photos below from the site of destruction at Epe, Lagos:
