Fake NAFDAC Registration Used to Smuggle Unregistered Drugs into Nigeria — Customs
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered an attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country using a fake registration number belonging to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the handover of narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products worth N53.4 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and NAFDAC at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos.
Adeniyi revealed that one of the intercepted consignments contained 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a counterfeit NAFDAC registration number and forged documentation intended to create the false impression that the products had received regulatory approval.
According to him, although the shipment initially appeared genuine, further verification confirmed that the medicines were not registered with NAFDAC.
“The use of a fake registration number and supporting documentation clearly indicates a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into the Nigerian market, thereby posing a serious risk to public health,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss explained that the fake registration case was among nine major seizures made recently by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, non-intrusive inspection technology, physical examination of cargo and close collaboration with the NDLEA.
He said the seizures included cannabis, codeine syrup, expired pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items intercepted in containers arriving through the nation’s busiest seaport.
Among the intercepted consignments were two 40-foot containers loaded with Cannabis Sativa concealed alongside imported vehicles, automobile spare parts and household items. One of the containers contained 3,639 parcels of cannabis weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, while the second held 9,918 sachets with a total weight of approximately 4.95 metric tonnes.
The Service also intercepted two containers carrying 3,398 cartons, equivalent to 339,800 bottles of codeine syrup, hidden inside shipments of insulated casserole dishes and other household items.
In addition, Customs officers seized three containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxacillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections, all of which have been earmarked for regulatory action.
Another container carrying Piccan Teething Powder was also intercepted.
Adeniyi said the successful interceptions underscore the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to safeguarding public health, protecting national security and securing the country’s borders through intelligence-driven enforcement operations.
“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he stated.
The Comptroller-General further announced that all narcotic drugs seized have been handed over to the NDLEA for investigation and prosecution, while the expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.
He added that vehicles, automobile spare parts and other items used to conceal the prohibited goods would remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service pending forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement procedures in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.