Omiete Joseph
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has arrested two suspects in connection with importation of illicit drugs and other products to the country.
This is as the agency has disclosed that it has confiscated 22 containers laden with illicit drugs and donkey skin.
The Customs Area Controller, in charge of Area 2 Command, Onne, in Rivers State, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede disclosed this on Monday, during a briefing with journalists, while showcasing the seized illegal products at the Onne Port.
He revealed that from January to the early month of November, this year, the Area 2 Command, has generated revenue of N550.4billion, which he said is 89 percent of the annual target of N618billion given to the command.
Omable African News recalled that during his visit to the Onne Port in September, the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, declared a three month state of emergency in Onne Port.
Adeniyi Aldo ordered the authority of the Command to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of presence of their owners, noting that the approach will ensure that no illegal substances can evade detection.
Babandede said the command achieved the current success by arresting twenty 40-feet and two 20-feet containers laden with illicit drugs and donkey skin.
He said: “In line with the Controller General of Customs Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, the Command working with Sister Agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC among others in implementing the State of emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of twenty 40feet and one 20feet containers laden with illicit drugs, which pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Then we have one 20feet container laden with donkey skin.”
He disclosed the illicit goods to include: “2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol; 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/ Tramadol/Tamolx; 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhea Antibiotics without NAFDAC number and 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine.
Others are 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine; 19,430 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment; 20,238 pieces of Sanitary Fittings Tap/toilet seat used for concealment; 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake Permethrin cream and 480,000 tablets of fake Stapsiril.
Also showcased are seized 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplement, 28 drums of diphenhydramine Hydrochloride ip of 25kg each, 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment and 2,100 pieces of Donkey Skin.
Babandede said the duty paid value of the twenty-one containers totals N46,399,119,810, while the duty paid value for the donkey skin is N441,000,000, adding that the seizures underscore agency’s commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public.
“The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.
“Still on Anti-smuggling activities, the Command under my stewardship this year, including these seizures on display has now made a total seizure of 63 containers.comprising of; 844 Riffles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition, Over 6,469,253 bottles of 100ml syrup with codeine and over 56,878,900 tablets of 22 5mg Royal Tapentadol /Tramadol/Tamolx
“Among others for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 233, 234, 235. 245, 246 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. The Duty Paid Value of the seizures made so far is NI130,562,660,407.”
Speaking further, Babandede said “In the Command a total of 2,436,408.33 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $826,613,015.87 was processed through the Command.
“Still within the past months of this year, In the Area of revenue the Command as at this morning has generated a total revenue of N550,431,559,598.41 which translate to 89% of the annual target of 618 Billion given to the Command.”
Omable African News at the briefing, observed that Comptroller Babandede handed the seized illegal goods to the relevant agencies for further investigation and appropriate handling.