Customs Bans Pharma Cargo Checks at Bonded Terminals, Hands Over N9.2bn Worth of Illicit Drugs to NAFDAC

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has prohibited the examination of pharmaceutical cargoes at bonded terminals nationwide, following recent enforcement actions that led to the closure of three terminals for various trade violations. Under the new directive, such inspections will now only take place at four designated Customs commands: Apapa, Port and Terminal Multi-purpose Limited (PTML), Lagos International Airport, and the One Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking during the official handover of 25 containers of unregistered drugs and prohibited products, including breast enlargement items, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, said the measure is aimed at tightening control over the importation of sensitive pharmaceutical goods. He issued a stern warning to transport operators, bonded terminal owners, and other trade facilitators that any involvement in illegal activities will attract strict sanctions, including the revocation of licenses.

Mr. Adeniyi revealed that the Customs Service has recovered ₦1.5 billion and ₦500 million from violations associated with bonded terminal operations. He credited these achievements to the service’s enhanced intelligence capabilities and upgraded technology, which now allow for the early detection of misdeclared or concealed cargoes.

Initially, only Apapa Port, Onne Port, and the Lagos Airport command were permitted to handle pharmaceutical imports. However, PTML has now been added to the list. The Customs boss emphasized that all other ports are now prohibited from receiving pharmaceutical shipments due to the sector’s high sensitivity and associated health risks.

Highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation, Adeniyi praised the joint efforts between Customs and NAFDAC. He said the agencies’ memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been vital in conducting joint investigations and tracing illicit pharmaceutical supply chains. He further announced the handover of 25 containers of dangerous and unregistered drugs to NAFDAC, which include counterfeit medicines, expired food products, and skin-lightening creams.

Valued at over ₦9.2 billion in duty-paid terms, the seized items comprise 21 40-foot containers and four 20-foot containers containing drugs such as codeine-based syrups, unapproved antibiotics, sexual enhancement pills, painkillers, and even expired consumables like margarine and chocolate. Adeniyi noted that these seizures reflect a calculated effort by criminal networks to exploit loopholes in the import system, thereby threatening public health and national security.