Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Command has on Monday disclosed that the Command arrested two suspects in connection with importation of illicit dangerous drugs (unregistered regulated ,pharmaceutical products) concealed in two (2) by 40ft containers
The Unregistered’ pharmaceutical products intercepted are regulated products by NAFDAC, lacking the required permits and certificates for importation in which the documents are to ascertain the safety of the products to Nigerians, hence these illicit dangerous drugs were concealed in the two containers.
Addressing news men at the Command, the Customs Area Controller in charge, Comptroller Adekunle Adewale Oloyede said that the Command received a timely intelligence from its Intelligence Unit on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs concealed in 2 by 40ft containers with Bill of lading Nos 227578945 and 227898171. On arrival of the vessel in Tincan Island Container Terminal, the containers (MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1) were transferred immediately to the Enforcement Station for 100% physical examination and further investigation.
He added that after a physical examination was jointly conducted on both containers by Enforcement Officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd, it was discovered that Container No MRSU 592397/0 with Bill of Lading No 227578945 stated the items laden were 1,016packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutters (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain 5cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.
Also contained in it were 84cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules, 876cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles, 50cartons of Manual Grater Machine-70 pieces per carton as means of concealment and 1carton of Ceiling Fan as a means of concealment.
While container No MRKU 553432/1 with Bill of Landing number 227898171 stated the items laden to include 1,021 packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutter (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination the container was found to contain 10cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets, 105cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules.
Others are 754cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 Bottles, 50 cartons of Manual Grater Machine – 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment and 1 itcartons of Compo Ceiling Fan as means of concealment.
Comptroller Oloyede disclosed that the two suspects arrested are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit in accordance with the investigation process of the Service.
He added that one of the suspects in custody, Mr. Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner (Importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement DC GI Aliyu and Team Manager CIU AC H Abubakar. “I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of Fifty Million Naira only which is equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate N920. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as exhibit.
“The suspects, containers and the exhibit will be handed over to the Agencies that are in charge of regulation of such importation as soon as the Service directs and the Service may decide to prosecute according to the Service Act, Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023)” he said.
Speaking further, the Command boss hinted that following an intensive surveillance operation on a routine examination carried out at the command, a container was found to contain frozen poultry products.Adding that the Single Goods Declaration (SGD), other supporting documents (Form M and PAAR) stated Tangerines but was used to conceal imported frozen food products.
He stated that the goods were falsely declared as they are under the import prohibition items and the container has been seized for contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Acts 2023.
“The persistent fraudulent nature of importers and agents drives us to be more innovative in putting methods and measures to combat smuggling activities, ensure no leakage of revenue to the government and the safety of Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will not be a part to nefarious acts which jeopardize the safety of lives of the citizens of our dear country, Nigeria. Any fraudulent importer or agent who tries to perpetrate such acts, will be prosecuted accordingly.
“The Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with other Security and Regulatory Agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of illicit and unregulated dangerous drugs and substances” Oloyede quipped.
