Customs Seizes N1.7 Billion Worth of Counterfeit Drugs

Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs valued at over N1.7 billion.

Among the seized items were fake Augmentin tablets, Ampiclox, and Amoxycillin capsules concealed within 53 sacks, with a Duty Paid Value estimated at N1,739,000,000.00.

Mr. Ben Oramalugo, the Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Command, highlighted the accomplishment during the second press conference of 2024, held at the operational headquarters in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Thursday.

He attributed the success to the vigilance and dedication of his team, as well as the steadfast support from local communities.

Providing further details, Oramalugo revealed that between February 1 and 27, 2024, the command collected approximately N5.6 billion (N5,664,295,751.15). When combined with the N6,824,954,338.96 already collected in January 2024, the cumulative revenue for the fiscal year 2024 reached a substantial N12.4 billion (N12,489,250,090.11).

In addition to the counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the Customs Controller listed various contraband seized during the year.

This included 345 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 4 kilograms of Indian Hemp, 1,309 pieces of used tires, premium motor spirit, foreign vegetable oil, used clothing items, and more fake antibiotic drugs.