Customs, NAFDAC warn smugglers, destroy N14.7 b drugs
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), have restated their commitment to check the smuggling of drugs and other harmful pharmaceuticals as they destroyed about N14.7billion worth illicit drugs.
Speaking at the destruction site at Oke-Diya dumpsite, in Sagamu, Ogun State, Chairman of the joint committee, Victor Dimka, said smugglers will continue to suffer huge economic losses if they persist with such importation.
Dimka, who is the Comptroller Enforcement at the Customs Headquarters, described the seizures made in different parts of the country as a proof of the uncompromising commitment to enforcement by Customs and NAFDAC officials.
He reiterated the charge by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), to all officers of the Service to shun compromise, and strictly enforce the law on anti-smuggling.
He also commended the level of cooperation the Customs is receiving from NAFDAC, Nigerian Army, and other government organisations describing it as a good example of inter-agency cooperation between sister government outfits.
“This destruction is in continuation of the exercise we started 24th July 2019, involving 58 containers of illicit drugs seized by our men. After the Lagos exercise, we shall be going to Port Harcourt and Kaduna to continue with the destruction,” he said.
Dimka added that the volume of drugs seized so far is capable of causing health hazards and damages to addicts, who consume them abusively.
Speaking earlier, Ali, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG), Zone A, Mrs Katharine Ekekezie, blamed importers of the drugs for several drug-induced sicknesses like cancer, renal failure and heart failure recorded in Nigeria.
She urged Nigerians to distant themselves from drugs that are capable of destroying lives and endangering the country while advising importers to bring in goods permitted by law.
Also, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Joseph Asikpo, described some of the seized drugs as medicines produced in contravention of approved dosage.
She listed their adverse effects on consumers to include, contracted pupils, extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, slowed heartbeat, weak muscles and loss of consciousness which could lead to death.
She added that they could also cause neurological toxicity, respiratory failure, and cardiac disturbances.
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