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NAFDAC, customs seize tramadol worth N193bn

Published

5 years ago

November 16, 2018

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it has confiscated containers of tramadol with a street value of N 193 bn .
NAFDAC said in a statement by its Director – General , Prof . Moji Adeyeye , that the seizures were made during a joint examination of containers at the Apapa Port , Lagos , coordinated by the Nigeria Customs Service .

According to Adeyeye , about 23 out of 80 40 ft containers on the agency’ s watch list since November 2017 were examined on Wednesday , November 14 and Thursday , November 15 and found to contain tramadol .

The statement read in part, “ These examined containers consist of 128 , 922 cartons of high strength of tramadol ( 120 mg , 200 mg , 225 mg & 250 mg ) which was estimated at a total 6 , 446 , 100 , 000 in addition to 321 , 146 cartons of other unregistered pharmaceutical products .

“ The worth of tramadol alone on the street is estimated to be about N 193 , 383 , 000 , 000 on an average cost of N 1 , 500 , 000 . ”

She said the drugs emanated from India , adding that the seizure was an outcome of previous communications with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service in September 2018 of containers suspected to be carrying tramadol and other unregistered pharmaceuticals as well as other NAFDAC regulated products .

She said about 23 40 ft containers examined so far were loaded with tramadol of various strengths from 120 mg to 250 mg tramadol and other unregistered pharmaceutical products that are known to be injurious to the health of the public , most importantly our youth .