Containers with illegally imported drugs, including counterfeit tablets worth over N46.399 billion had been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Rivers State.
The Customs Area Controller, Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Ndede, revealed this on Monday, where he displayed the seized drugs and tablets to journalists.
He said the command t has generated over N500 billion in revenue so far in 2024, adding that it was exactly two months and seven days since the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, visited Onne Port to showcase a series of significant seizures, including arms and ammunition confiscated by officers of the Command.
Ndede said, “The security concern arising from the series of contraband seizures at this port led to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency, granting the Command authority to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of whether their owners are present.”
According to Ndede, working with the NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine, and NAFDAC, among others, in implementing the state of emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of twenty 40-foot and one 20-foot containers filled with illicit drugs that pose a serious threat to public health and safety.
“Additionally, we have a 20-foot container laden with donkey skins.”
He said the items 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/Tamil, and 7,665,000 tablets of 200mg counterfeit Gonorrhoea Antibiotics without a NAFDAC number, among others.
He said “The Duty Paid Value of the 21 containers totals N46,399,199,810, while the Duty Paid Value for the donkey skins is N441,000,000,” adding that the items were intercepted at the entry point by vigilant officers and that some of the drugs had been concealed under plumbing materials and local grinding tools to avoid detection.
Ndede said these seizures underscore the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating illicit drugs and ensuring public safety.
Ndede added, “The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.”
“Regarding anti-smuggling, we have made a total of 63 container seizures, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition,” among others.
He disclosed that the Duty Paid Value of seizures made so far, for breaches of various customs laws and procedural standards, totals N130,562,660,407.
Ndede also noted that exports play a crucial role in promoting Nigeria’s economic growth, creating jobs, and maintaining a favourable balance of trade and exchange rate for the naira against the dollar.
“In this Command, a total of 2,436,408.33 metric tonnes of goods, with a free-on-board value of $826,613,015.87, has been processed,” he stated.
On revenue generation this year, Ndede said, “As of this morning, the Command has generated total revenue of N550,431,559,598.41 billion.
“This translates to 89 per cent of the annual target of N618 billion set for the Command.”
Comptroller Ndede also reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the latest seizures, with investigations ongoing.
The event concluded with the handover of the seized items to relevant agencies, including the NDLEA and Quarantine, while items intended for NAFDAC will be transferred at a later date.
