In addition to the 12 containers of illicit goods seized and showcased by
the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR in Onne Port two months ago, the Onne Command of Nigeria Customs Service 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 as well as one 20feet container laden with donkey skin.
Addressing the press on the seizures, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Muhammed Babandede noted that security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through Onne Port led to the declaration of a three month state of emergency where the Command has been granted the authority to scrutinize all suspected containers, regardless of the presence of their owners.
He said that this proactive approach aims to ensure that no illegal substances can evade detection.
Babandede stated that in line with the Comptroller 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, intercepted the 21 offensive containers.
He gave the breakdown of the content of the containers as follows:
a. 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine
b. 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac
c. 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol
d. 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/ Tramadol/Tamolx
e. 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhea Antibiotics without NAFDAC number
e. 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine
f. 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine
b. 19,430 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment
e. 20,238 pieces of Sanitary Fittings Tap/toilet seat used for concealment
f. 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake Permethrin cream
g. 480,000 tablets of fake Stapsiril
h. 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplement
i. 28 drums of diphenhydramine Hydrochloride of 25kg each
j. 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment, and
k. 2,100 pieces of Donkey Skin.
The controller gave the duty paid value of the twenty-one containers ad ₦46,399,119,810, while the duty paid value for the donkey skin is ₦441,000,000.
He emphasized that the seizures underscored the command’s unwavering 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
Over 56,878,900 tablets of 225mg 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″, he stated.
Babandede averred that the duty paid value of the seizures made so far is ₦130,562,660,407.
In the area of Trade facilitation, he announced that the Command utilizes World Customs Organization trade facilitation tool to generate maximum revenue which is:
Time Release Study (TRS).
He described the result of utilizing this tool within the past months of this year as unprecedented.
In the area of export, the controller disclosed that
the Command facilitated a total of 2,436,408.33 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $826,613,015.87.
In the Area of revenue, he informed that the Command has generated a total revenue of Five hundred and Fifty Billion, Four hundred and Thirty-One Million, Five hundred and Fifty-Nine thousand, Five hundred and Ninety-Eight naira, Forty-One kobo (₦550,431,559,598.41) which translate to 89% of the annual target of 618 Billion given to the Command.