NAFDAC tracked down a bus loaded with fake drugs valued at N6million on Onitsha-Owerri highway in Anambra on Thursday.
Mr. Benson Kine, Deputy Director in charge of NAFDAC Special Zonal Office, Onitsha, told newsmen that the feat was achieved in collaboration with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Owerri.
He explained that following a tip off, NAFDAC alerted the Customs unit patrolling the Onitsha-Owerri Road that the fake drugs-laden bus was heading toward Owerri.
He added that when the bus was tracked down at Bridge-Head, Onitsha, the driver absconded while being interrogated by Customs officers.
“We heard information that a bus loaded with unregistered drugs was heading to Onitsha, so we got in contact with the Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, Owerri.
“And that unit is responsible for Asaba, Anambra and then the Imo State axis.
“So I got in contact with them and sold the information to them, gave the bus number and then with their co-operation, when the bus came they were able to intercept the vehicle.
“And then they told us that the driver and the conductor ran away, but the bus was conveyed to the Customs barracks here in Onitsha.’’
“We thank the Customs for such co-operation and we are asking them to keep co-operating with us.
“In that respect, we are also urging other agencies to emulate what the Customs had done.
“That way, NAFDAC will safeguard the health of the nation,’’ Kine said.
He also appealed for the cooperation of all law enforcement agencies and that of members of the public to rid the country of unregistered, fake and adulterated drugs and food products.
The director said that the busload of fake drugs contained 42 assorted fake drugs.
The drugs included those for the management of hypertension, diabetes, Ulcer and antibiotics.
Others are those used for the reduction of cholesterol level, pain relief, eye drops, food supplements and multivitamin tablets.
- NAN