Customs seize N46bn illicit drugs at Onne port
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Rivers State has seized containers bearing illegally imported drugs including fake tablets of Gonorrhoea antibiotics all worth over N46. 399bn.
This is as the command said it had raked in revenue of over N500bn so far in 2024.
The Customs Area Controller, Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Ndede, disclosed this at a media briefing in Onne where he displayed the seized drugs and tablets to newsmen.
Ndede said it was exactly two months and seven days ago that the Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, was in Onne Port where he showcased a series of significant seizures, including arms and ammunition made by officers of the command.
He stated, “The security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through this port led to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency where the command has been granted the authority to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of the presence of their owners.
Ndede said the proactive approach was to ensure that no illegal substances could evade discretion.
He said, “In line with the Controller General of Customs policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, more successes have been recorded.
The command, working with sister agencies such as the NDLEA, the DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC, among others in implementing the state of emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of 20 40-foot and one 20-foot containers laden with illicit drugs which pose a severe threat to public health and safety.
“Then, we have one 20-foot container lade with donkey skin.”
The Customs Area 2 Command, Onne Controller, gave the breakdown as follows: 2, 624, 053 bottles of 100ml Cough syrup codeine and 7, 530, 000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac.
Ndede further listed 3,500, 000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048, 900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tamil, 7, 665, 000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhea antibiotics without NAFDAC number, among others.
Continuing, Ndede disclosed, “The duty paid value of the 21 containers totals N46, 399, 199, 810, while the duty paid value for the donkey skin is N441, 000, 000.”
While noting that the seized materials were intercepted at the point of entry by vigilant officers, he said some of the drugs were concealed under plumbing materials and local grinding materials to evade arrest.
Ndede said the seizures underscored the command’s unwavering commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring public safety.
According to Ndede, “The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proved 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, has made a total seizure of 63 containers comprising 844 rifles and 112, 500 pieces of live ammunition,” among others.
He disclosed that the duty paid value of the seizures made so far, among others for violations of various customs laws and breaches of procedures standards was N130,562,660,407.
He noted that export plays a crucial role in promoting Nigeria’s economic growth, job creation and provides favourable balance of trade and exchange rate for the naira to the dollar.
“In the command, a total of 2, 436,408,33 Metric tons of goods with a free onboard value of $826, 613,015,87 was processed through the command, “ he stated.
On revenue generation within the past months of the year, Ndede said, “The command as of this morning has generated a total revenue of N550, 431,559,598,41bn.
“This translates to 89 per cent of the annual target of N618bn given to the command.”
Ndede said two suspects were arrested in connection with the latest seizures while an investigation was ongoing.
