• Impounds another 20ft container of drug
Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller Malanta Yusuf has handed over 150 cartons of Tramadol tablets (120mg) to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Handing over the 150 cartons which amounted to about 4,500,000 capsules of Tramadol, Yusuf reiterated the resolve of the Command in fighting illicit trade.
He warned that the Apapa Port will always be an abominable place for smuggling of hard drugs and other illicit activities that are forbidden by Law.
He said, “The Port is sealed for illegal trade, not only for hard drugs. The Eagle Eye of the Nigeria Customs Service and other Government Agencies in the Port are well at alert.
“It’s a complete synergy, intelligence gathering and collaboration to make sure that the right thing is done by protecting the lives of the Citizens. If this type of menace is allowed to get into the society the havoc it will cause cannot be estimated.”
Ameh Inalegwu, Narcotic Commander, Apapa Port, who received the capsules on behalf NDLEA, thanked the NCS and expressed commendation on behalf of the NDLEA Boss, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd) for the continuous synergy the Agency has enjoyed with the Service.
Inalegwu also beaconed on the society to join hands with the government and make the country safe for all.
“It’s a whole society approach, because we are all involved and vulnerable. If your house is on fire, you do not wait for Fire Brigade, you first try to quench it. Let us be seen doing our part,” he said.
According to him, the street value of the illicit drugs used to be N8 million per carton but has increased due to the sustained fight against it, bringing the present value to N12 million.
He put the street value of the 150 cartons of the hard drugs at N3.7 billion.
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The Agency received the hard drugs at the ESS Libra Terminal, Ikorodu and Jaelith Bonded Terminal, Festac Lagos.
Inalegwu recommended rehabilitation, and reintegration for any repentant drug dealer while adding that a drug dealer is a sick person that should seek treatment.
In another development, the Apapa Area Command of the NCS intercepted another 1×20ft Container with no PCIU 0183241 laden with Tramadol tablets, which was declared falsely as Static Converter and Switches.
Giving more details, Yusuf disclosed that the Port of Origin of the Tramadol is Singapore but the Importers tried covering up their tracks by moving the Cargo to other Countries before arriving in Nigeria.
He noted that the Contents are 150 Cartons of 250mg Tramadol and were all laden inside the Container with each containing 72 rolls and each roll, 10 packets with 10 satchels each.
“For the recalcitrant importers who do not want to obey the laws, I will always emphasize that the Service is at alert at all times, if you do not want to repent, test our will,” Yusuf warned.
He also added that another container with no TCKU 7580597, transiting to Kano Inland Terminal was seized with used clothing, which was declared falsely as fitting installation materials.
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