Posted on: Fri 01-11-2024

For the second time this year, the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized counterfeit pharmaceutical products valued at N596.8 million in duty-paid worth.

The Area Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo, reported that the Command confiscated 46 cartons of Analgin injections, 68 sacks of Amoxicillin capsules, three cartons of Buscomac tablets, five sacks of Chloramphenicol tablets (250 mg), 11 sacks of Ampicillin capsules, six sacks of Juscopan tablets, 10 sacks of Arthromether tablets, two sacks of Fulcin tablets, and 13 packets of Pentazocine injections.

The truck transporting these items was intercepted along the Iwere Ile axis in Oke Ogun, Oyo State, and the driver, initially detained, has since been granted bail.

In addition to the counterfeit drugs, Customs seized 433 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each), 61 bales and 10 sacks of second-hand clothing, 8,850 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 49 sacks of cannabis sativa, and 93 used tyres.

The intercepted fake drugs and cannabis were handed over to officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

NAFDAC Director for the South West Zone, Roseline Ajayi, announced that regulatory measures, including the destruction of the drugs and prosecution of the suspect, would follow.

She noted that among the confiscated items were banned substances such as Analgin and controlled drugs like Pentazocine.

“We will soon conduct a public destruction of these items in the South West. We don’t want them reintroduced into the system,” Ajayi stated, expressing appreciation to the Oyo/Osun Customs for their efforts in preventing the circulation of counterfeit products.

Chief Superintendent of Narcotics Abogunrin Olatunji from the NDLEA assured that the seized cannabis sativa would also be publicly destroyed following an application to the Federal High Court for approval.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

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