Winifred Bosa.

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted trucks laden with 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 / Apapa Road.

Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali said that the drugs were concealed in a total of 5,056 cartons.

The Customs boss added that investigations are ongoing to unravel the involvement of customs personnel in the clearing of the consignment.

He said that the customs will 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 foot 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 includes hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhoea, 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 it’s harmful to health if taken outside medical guidance” the CG said.

He said the customs will intensify its battle against smuggling and continue to prevent prohibited items from entering the Nigerian markets to safeguard the economy and health of Nigerians.