Customs intercept N11.2bn illegally imported drugs in Rivers
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne, has seized various drugs, tablets and codeine-based cough syrups valued at N11.2bn at the Onne Ports in Rivers State.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Area 2 Command, Onne, Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this at a news briefing at the command’s headquarters in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the State on Thursday, where the impounded items were displayed.
Babandede said intelligence sharing and collaboration between the Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency led to the uncovering of the illegal consignment.
He stated, “You are aware that on the 1st of this month, the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, was at the command and he addressed members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm on recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.
“Despite his warnings that day, it is unfortunate that some saboteurs have continued to engage in the unpatriotic act of undermining the importation processes, guidelines and procedures.
“It is with joy that I inform you that the command has again recorded another significant breakthrough over these unpatriotic people who do not have the interest of our nation at their heart, as attested by the seizures on display today.
“In line with the CGC policy of collaboration and consolidation, the command, on receipt of credible intelligence on some 40-foot containers, sprang into action.
“In collaboration with the NDLEA, Onne Ports chapter, the containers were identified, positioned and jointly examined in the presence of other sister agencies.
“A total of seven seized containers were made. The containers were found to contain 1,054,400 bottles of different cough syrup codeine (100mg), 9,100 pieces of chilly cutter; 2, 175, 000 tables of Hyergra tablets (200 mg), 2, 175, 000 Hyergra tablets (200 mg), 1, 300, 000 tablets of really extra diclofenac pain relief tablets (50mg).
“The above seizures are estimated at N11, 200, 000, 000, which represents a huge loss on the part of those involved despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of further investigation.”
The NCS Area 2 Command boss expressed worry that some Nigerians remained ‘unrepentant even as they continue to lose’, pointing out that the “The seized cough syrup codeine and tablets would be handed over formally to the NDLEA in due course for further investigation.”
He said, “We wish to reiterate that the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, under the present Comptroller General of Customs, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.”
While expressing excitement at the increased revenue since this year, Babandede said in July and counting, over N48bn had been raked in by the command.
He stated, “As of this morning (Thursday), the command has generated N48, 056, 806, 692, 00 in the month of July, and we still have five working days left in the month. We are determined to increase our revenue profile and at the same time work tirelessly in protecting public health and safety.”
The latest seizure comes weeks after Customs at the same Onne Port seized a consignment of illegal firearms, drugs and others worth N18bn from Turkey.
