. CG says war against smuggling is total
By Uzor Odigbo
Lagos
Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday said that it intercepted trucks load of smuggled drugs worth N242,688,000.
The drugs identified as Tramadol Hydrochoride tablets in the range of 225mg/200 mg were seized along Lagos Ibadan Road / Apapa Road.
According to the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, the drugs were concealed in a total of 5,056 cartons.
Ali said that the drugs were prohibited and not good for consumption without prescription. He added that investigations were ongoing to unravel the involvement of Customs personnel in the clearing of the consignment.
Ali said that the Customs would look at the Inspection Act which indicates full particulars of releasing officers in respect of the drug that has become largely abused in the society.
The drugs were packed in two trucks of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg in two units of 40 feet containers.
Last year, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, evacuated 773 cartons of same tramadol capsules with 225mg and 700 cartons from an unnamed warehouse in Lagos with a suspect still facing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Some side effects of the drug include adversely affecting consumers health causing agitation, nervousness, anxiety, seizures (convulsions), skin rash, dizziness and spinning sensation.
Other side effects include hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, loss of coordination, headache, drowsiness.
“This drug is prohibited and not good for consumption without prescription. A lot of women and youths now take it to relieve stress, but its harmful to health if taken outside medical guidance,” Ali told journalists in Lagos.
He said that the Customs would intensify its battle against smuggling and continue to prevent prohibited items from entering the Nigerian markets to safeguard the economy and health of Nigerians.