The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has handed over a large consignment of intercepted fake pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Barilule Jane Aanee.

According to the statement, the handover ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Command’s Training Room. The event was presided over by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller YM Hashim, and witnessed by officials from the NDLEA, DSS, Immigration, Quarantine Service, and key freight forwarding associations.

Comptroller Hashim revealed that the interception was made during a routine inspection of a 1x40FT container falsely declared as carrying motorcycle spare parts from China. Upon examination, the container was found to contain 2,455 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products branded as Gebedol—each carton containing 10 packs of 6 sachets—concealed among 23 cartons of motorcycle spare parts and 12 bags. The total duty paid value (DPV) was estimated at ₦3,293,726.

Highlighting the dangers posed by the counterfeit drugs, Comptroller Hashim stressed that their potential harm could not be quantified in monetary terms, stating, “Fake drugs kill. They destroy families, weaken our healthcare system, and pose a serious threat to national security. Those involved in this criminal activity are no different from terrorists.”

He commended the professionalism of Customs officers and acknowledged the crucial intelligence support provided by other agencies. He also emphasized the importance of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC in facilitating the interception of counterfeit products at Nigeria’s borders.

Comptroller Hashim further advocated for stronger collaboration among security and regulatory agencies to shift from reactive operations to proactive, intelligence-driven prevention strategies.

In his remarks, the Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Ports Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, applauded the Nigeria Customs Service for its alertness and swift action. He noted that the seized fake drugs, if allowed into circulation, could have caused significant harm to public health.

He assured stakeholders that NAFDAC would immediately launch an investigation, ensure the safe destruction of the products, and pursue those responsible for their illegal importation.

Pharm. Raufu reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health and strengthening its collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other enforcement agencies. He described the operation as a model of inter-agency synergy in safeguarding lives and upholding regulatory standards.

The event concluded with the formal handover of the intercepted consignment to NAFDAC. Comptroller Hashim reaffirmed the commitment of Area 1 Command to vigilance, stating: “The safety of Nigerians will never be compromised.”