(Monrovia, August 31, 2020): The Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has turned over huge consignment of pharmaceutical products illegally imported in the country to the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA).  The pharmaceutical products were intercepted by Customs Anti-Smuggling Officers along the Somalia Drive following a tip-off.

According to a Customs investigation report, the assorted pharmaceutical products were smuggled into the country through the Guinea-Ganta Border. The – assorted medicines were concealed in twelve (12) jumbo-size boxes and tucked under other goods that were being legally imported. The medicines include Pain killer, Multi Vitamin, Cold Caps, Amoxicillin, among others, and is valued at over Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000).

Presenting the seized medicines to the LMHRA, LRA Manager of Anti-Smuggling & Investigation Unit (ASIU), Masu Fahnbulleh, said the Authority will remain steadfast in ensuring effective border security and protection under its border management strategy.  He disclosed that the importer, identified as Abdullai Kamara, without permit, smuggled the assorted medicines into Liberia.

For his part, the Deputy Inspector General of the LMHRA, Thomas Kokulo, thanked the LRA for the seizure and described the collaboration between the two

government agencies as “vital in curbing the illegal importation of medicines and other harmful products into the country”.

The seizure is part of an on-going regional customs enforcement operation under the auspices of the World Customs Organization (WCO) code named “Cripharm V”, targeted at combating the illicit flow of pharmaceutical products.

In April, the LRA Customs Department also turned over a huge quantity of medicines illegally imported through the Liberian-Sierra Leonean border post at Bo Waterside to the LMHRA.