Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has handed over a fresh seizure of 40ft. container of pharmaceutical products which were declared as spare parts to the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Inside the container with number MRKU 519445/3 include cartons of spectradol (Tramadol) capsules of various milligrams, spectra-doxycycline capsules of various milligrams as well as Jinart tablets.
Other drugs seized were clarinthromycin tablets of five hundred milligrams and Jincold-Extra strength capsules of various milligrams.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar during the ceremony pointed out the negative effect of the drugs on the teeming Nigerian youths, adding that the products were highly regulated.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Uche Ejesieme, Bashar decried a situation in which Nigerian youths consume the drugs illegally at an alarming proportion to the extent that they could commit despicable acts that will certainly have far reaching negative implications on their health.
He linked the frequency of drugs seizures in recent times to the impending election year, saying that this portends evil for the nation.
The drugs, he said, lead youths into reprehensible and deplorable acts. The Controller reiterated the Command’s desire to continue to build on the existing inter-agency cooperation with all concerned regulatory agencies, to ensure that illicit and uncustomed goods are intercepted at the ports.
He listed the number of seizures the Command has made recently as arms, cars, drugs and others, and expressed regrets that an importer who declared pharmaceutical products as imported vehicles and computer accessories, has no good intention for the nation and the people.
He said, “It’s not just about money but the health and well-being of the people, every Nigerian should show care about the life of Nigerians and its not about revenue nor trade facilitation but about the good of Nigeria and Nigerians, so this must stop”.
The Comptroller disclosed the identities of the Importer as Jin Spectra Pharmaceutical Limited of No. 3 Festing Road, Kano and also the Clearing Agency as Febeaco Nigeria Limited of 29, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ibafon, Apapa- Lagos.
He expressed utmost confidence in the officials of the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) whom he hinted would effectively complete the investigation and bring the Importers to book, by using the address and the information provided.
Bashar vowed that the Nigeria Customs Service would not allow unpatriotic and inconsiderate importers and agents use Tincan Island Port as a dumping ground to perpetrate their illegal operations.
He recalled that two containers of falsely declared similar Pharmaceutical Products were also handed over to NAFDAC at the Command.
According to him, there are over one hundred million youths in Nigeria, adding that if allowed unregulated access to these drugs, it would portend great danger for the nation.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of the chairman of NDLEA, the commander Tincan Island Port, MR. NSE JACK commended the Customs Area Controller for his consistent commitment to the concept of Inter-Agency collaboration and synergy over time.
He assured the CAC that NDLEA will conduct further due diligence test to unravel details of the Importer for eventual prosecution of suspects.
JACK however wished that the good works of the Controller would be emulated by other Commands for the overall benefit of the nation.
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Hyacinth Chinweuba
