The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River State Command, has successfully intercepted contraband pharmaceutical products valued at approximately N18 million from smugglers operating along the Nigeria-Cameroon border corridor.
The seizure, described by authorities as a significant blow to criminal networks exploiting porous borders for illicit trade, was displayed during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Calabar yesterday.
Comptroller Samuel Bobai, who heads the Cross River Command, revealed that the operation resulted from enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering following tips from vigilant community members in the border towns.
“These pharmaceutical products were being transported through unauthorized routes in a deliberate attempt to evade regulatory checks and proper import duties,” Comptroller Bobai explained while displaying the confiscated items to journalists. “Beyond the revenue loss to government, these unregistered drugs pose serious health risks to our citizens.”
The seized items, packed in several cartons and concealed beneath agricultural produce in two vehicles, included various antibiotics, analgesics, and psychotropic substances that require special import permits and regulatory clearance from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to Customs officials, preliminary investigation indicates that the smugglers intended to distribute the products across several states in the South-South and South-East regions, exploiting the price differential between locally registered pharmaceuticals and smuggled alternatives.
“Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with this seizure and are currently undergoing interrogation. We have reason to believe they are part of a larger network specializing in pharmaceutical smuggling,” the Comptroller added.
The State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr. Mercy Ndukwe, who was present during the inspection of the seized items, commended the Customs Service for their vigilance while highlighting the dangers posed by unregulated pharmaceutical products.
“Many of these products lack proper storage during transit, which compromises their efficacy. Others may be counterfeits or substandard formulations that could lead to treatment failures, drug resistance, or even direct harm to patients,” Dr. Ndukwe warned.
Cross River State’s strategic location, sharing borders with Cameroon, has made it a preferred route for smugglers attempting to bring in contraband goods into Nigeria. The Customs Service reported that they have intensified patrol operations along the extensive borderline, deploying additional personnel and equipment to curb the menace.
“Since January, we have recorded a 37% increase in seizures compared to the same period last year, which demonstrates both our improved capacity and the unfortunate persistence of smuggling activities,” Comptroller Bobai stated.
The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, Pharm. Joseph Etta, who also attended the briefing, emphasized the economic impact of pharmaceutical smuggling on legitimate businesses.
“Licensed pharmaceutical companies and retailers who follow proper channels for importation and distribution cannot compete with smugglers who evade taxes and regulatory costs. This unfair advantage not only hurts businesses but ultimately compromises public health,” Etta noted.
Community leaders from border settlements have pledged continued support for the Customs Service’s anti-smuggling operations. Chief Etim Okon of Ikang, a prominent border community, encouraged residents to prioritize national interest above short-term financial gains from aiding smugglers.
“These drugs could end up in our own clinics and homes, potentially harming our family members. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Chief Okon stated.
The Customs Service has announced plans to strengthen community engagement through its Border Community Relations initiative, which includes sensitization programs on the dangers of smuggling and incentives for information sharing.
“We recognize that technology and enforcement alone cannot win this battle. We need the active cooperation of border communities who serve as our eyes and ears,” Comptroller Bobai concluded.
The seized pharmaceuticals will be handed over to NAFDAC for proper analysis and subsequent destruction in accordance with established protocols for handling contraband medical products.
