The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, in Owerri has seized 1,777 cartons of fake and sub-standard drugs, 182 vehicles and other sundry items at different locations within its jusridiction.
The Customs Area Controller of the FOU Zone ‘C’, Comptroller Victor Dimka , while disclosing this said the drugs (Super Mebendazole and Levamisole Hydrochloride) were without NAFDAC registration, manufacturing batch numbers and expiration dates.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, in Owerri has seized 1,777 cartons of fake and sub-standard drugs, 182 vehicles and other sundry items at different locations within its jusridiction.
The Customs Area Controller of the FOU Zone ‘C’, Comptroller Victor Dimka , while disclosing this said the drugs (Super Mebendazole and Levamisole Hydrochloride) were without NAFDAC registration, manufacturing batch numbers and expiration dates.
He added that the seized drugs and other items have Duty Paid Value of N250,676,300.00.
He told newsmen at the zone’s Customs Government Warehouses in Owerri and Benin that the truck conveying the super mebendazole tablets was impounded on the Benin expressway consequent upon a tip off by some patriotic individuals, adding that the drug barons on sighting his men abandoned the exhibits and fled into a nearby bush. He however confirmed that the driver of the truck was arrested and he is helping in the investigation.
Dimka who has handed over the seized items to the Directors of NAFDAC in-charge of Imo and Edo states Messrs Mammael Victor and David West for further investigation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, expressed concern at the rampant cases of smuggling of illicit, unregistered, controlled drugs and contraband goods in the country despite the obvious severe consequences on those arrested.
The Comptroller also displayed 193 bales of fairly used jumbo school bags nd 780 bales of second hand clothing impounded on the Eleme/Aba Road that were seized by his men disclosed that used and expired tyres criminally smuggled into the country were similarly seized because of their obvious implications to human lives.
While displaying other items seized, such as assorted types of furniture, 599 bags of 50kg long grain parboiled rice and 182 flashy vehicles, regretted that while many Nigerians preoccupy themselves with ideas to move the nation forward, and to acquire a decent means of livelihood, others shamelessly engage themselves in acts capable of bringing the nation to ruins.
He warned smugglers, their agents and collaborators to turn a new leaf before the long arm of the law catches up with them, even as he affirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service is now better equipped, informed, trained and mobilized to dislodge smugglers wherever they hibernate and operate.
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