The Nigeria Customs Service,  Federal Operations Unit Zone A,  has seized various  harmful drugs estimated at N1.40bilion naira within two weeks.

The seized  drugs include 49 cartons of tramadol capsules of 100mg, at 300 by 10, 2,748  cartons of codeine, 29.35 kilogrammes of Indian hemp  and 95 cartons of Chaka pain extra.

 While conducting journalists round the warehouse, the unit head,  Comptroller Mohammed Garba Uba said the seizures were in consonance with the regulations of the federal government against contraband as well as duty evasion by importers of goods into Nigeria.

He said most of the seizures came from Ogun state,adding  that the truck conveying the codeine was intercepted at  Afromedia  Estate by Egbeda junction beside Alabama International.

Uba disclosed that “This is the second time in a row the unit is intercepting this substance since the Federal government banned the importation of cough syrup that contain codeine.

“Also, 49 cartons of tramadol  capsules 100 mg were evacuated from a warehouse in Ajao estate based on information. “he said

He also stated that the drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation.

While speaking on the endangered species, the controller said One thousand, thirty one kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 29, 35 kilogrammes of elephant tusk was evacuated from a shop located in Tejuosho market in Victoria Island based on information by the warehouse operations team

He added that efforts are ongoing to track down the fled occupants of the shops, promising that they would be arrested and prosecuted.

Other items include seventeen pieces of different brands of vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of three hundred and forty eight million, two hundred and ninety one thousand, two hundred and fifty one naira only.

One thousand, three hundred and eighty  bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each, one thousand, on hundred and twenty six pieces of used bags and shoes; one hundred and forty kegs of refined vegetable oil.

Among the detained vehicles are seven Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps (2015-2018), 4 Toyota Hiace Bus (2017), 2 Toyota Coaster Bus (2017) and 4 Toyota Camry (2014).

He explained that four of the   vehicles were accosted along Ijebu Ode Expressway while others evacuated from Ikeja, one had no evidence of duty payment. 

He stated further that eight suspects were arrested in connection with the twenty five seizures.