Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 2 Command, Onne, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has announced a significant seizure of 21 containers laden with illicit drugs and donkey skin valued at N46 billion.
Comptroller Mohammed Babandede disclosed this information during a press briefing on Monday, said the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items totals ₦46.4 billion and ₦441 million, respectively.
He stated that the seizure was made possible through intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination.
The breakdown of the seized items includes a staggering quantity of illicit drugs: 2,624,053 bottles of and tablets of various harmful substances. Among these are 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, all of which pose serious health risks to consumers.
Additionally, the customs service intercepted a substantial cache of donkey skin, totaling 2,100 pieces.
The seizure also uncovered some other cleverly concealed items, designed to evade detection.
These included thousands of pieces of chilly cutters and sanitary fittings, cleverly repurposed as hiding spots for illicit goods.
The sheer scale of the seizure underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s citizens from harmful substances and combating illicit trade.
The NCS has made significant strides in anti-smuggling activities, with a total seizure of 63 containers comprising 844 rifles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition, and other contraband goods worth ₦130.5 billion.
In the area of trade facilitation, the Command utilized the World Customs Organization’s Time Release Study (TRS) tool to generate maximum revenue.
The Command has also processed 2,436,408.33 metric tonnes of goods with a free-on-board value of $826.6 million.
As of November 11, 2024, the Command has generated ₦550.4 billion in revenue, representing 89% of its annual target.
About the Author
“Outstanding post! The research quality and clarity blew me away. The way you’ve structured each point shows your deep understanding of the topic. I’ve learned so much from your expert insights.”