In an apparent confirmation of its resolve and determination to stamp out trade in illicit drugs and narcotics in the country, the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizures of no fewer than 16 containers of different types of illegal substances.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Dera A. Nnadi, who briefed journalists on the huge seizures yesterday in Lagos, said the command had to unveil 16 significant seizures of illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other seized items.
Nnadi, who also presented a 10-month scorecard of the command, disclosed that as of November 7, 2024, the command under his watch generated N1.046 trillion in customs duty revenues to the Federal Government.
His words: “We are glad to announce that several of our stakeholders share our vision of voluntary compliance and are supporting our reforms in the Command.
“With the cooperation of all stakeholders and a few others who have been encouraged to comply through our enlightenment programs, we are glad to announce that the Command as at today, November 7, 2024 has generated N1.046 trillion.
“The Command wishes to celebrate this milestone of collecting over One Trillion Naira as Customs duty being the first time this has been achieved in its history.”
Nnadi, who gave details of the 16 containers, said they were discharged from May 17, 2024 to October 23, 2024, adding that the imported drugs comprised Codeine-based products in several shipments of cough syrups with codeine; Barcadin with Codeine, Broncleer with Codeine and DSP with Codeine for throat and chesty cough (100ml, 200 bottles per carton).
Others are 420 cartons of Royal 225 (Tapentadol HVCL 125mg and Carisoprodol BP 100mg); Benzhexol Tablets: 200 cartons of 5mg Benzhexol Tablets (Brand: Trodal); Cannabis Indica: 77 packets (38.5kg), 532 packets (265.025kg), and 75 packets (37.5kg) and Diclofenac Sodium Tablets made up of Really Extra brand (50mg, 100 packs per carton).
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He said other intercepted goods include ceiling fans, Deluxe Chilli Cutters, stainless steel blenders, BiomalArtesunate Injection and vessels of importation from India (Barcadin, Diclofenac Tablets, Benzhexol, CSP with Codeine), United Kingdom (BiomalArtesunate Injection)
Canada (Cannabis Indica).
“These containers were inspected by multiple enforcement agencies including Customs, NDLEA and NAFDAC. Recall that on October 2, 2024, the Tincan Island Port Command officially handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341.025kg, with an estimated street value of ₦682 million.
“The narcotics were discovered in three 40ft containers marked MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0 and FSCU 927461/3), as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination.
“Consequently, we are handing over an additional 13 Containers of Unregistered pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC. Total DPV of the 16 containers is approximately N37 billion.
“The 920 cartons of Tramadol in two 40FT containers are worth N23 billion; 1,894,600 bottles of Codeine in 11 40ft containers are worth N13 billion, while 341kg of Cannabis Indica in three 40ft containers are worth N682 million,” he explained.
Nnadi, who dedicated the milestones to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, further stated that the Command has sustained its effort in ensuring that it met its obligations to the CGC and his management team towards meeting the Service objectives.
“These objectives which form our key performance indicators are outlined in the CGC’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
“In line with the policy thrust, TCIP Command tagged the year 2024 as The Year of the Stakeholders which further align with the theme of the International Customs Day: Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” he concluded.
