Tin Can Customs intercepts N550m illicit drugs, frozen poultry
By: Bisi Akingbade
The Tin Can Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted three containers, two of them ladened with tramadol and codeine syrup with a duty paid value of N550,265,669 while the third container was stuffed with poultry products.
The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller AAS Oloyede, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing.
The controller said that the command received a timely intelligence from its Intelligence Unit on the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs, unregistered regulated pharmaceutica products, concealed in two by 40ft containers with Bill of lading Nos 227578945 and 227898171.
The controller disclosed that on arrival of the vessel in Tin Can Island Container Terminal, TICT, the containers MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1, were transferred immediately to the Enforcement Station for 100% physical examination and further investigation.
"The physical examination was conducted on both containers by Enforcement Officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hours and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 13:00hours, respectively.
"The following were discovered:
a) Container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were One Thousand and Sixteen (1,016) packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutters (Stainless Steel Plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain:
"Five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.
"Eighty-Four (84) cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules.
"Eight Hundred and Seventy-Six (876) cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.
" Fifty cartons of Manual Grater Machine-70 pieces per carton as means of concealment
"One carton of Ceiling Fan as a means of concealment.
"Container No MRKU 553432/1; the details on Bill of Landing with number 227898171 stated the items laden were One Thousand and Twenty-One (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:
"Ten cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets.
"One Hundred and Five (105) cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules.
"Seven Hundred and Fifty-Four (754) cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 Bottles.
"Fifty (50) cartons of Manual Grater Machine - 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment
"One cartons of Compo Ceiling Fan as means of concealment."
Oloyede explained that the unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted are regulated products by NAFDAC and didn't have 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.
He hinted that two suspects have been arrested and are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit in accordance with the investigation process of the Service.
He noted 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.
The controller said that he instructed his officers to play along, 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 N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira only) (as displayed) equivalent to $54,330 (Fifty-Four Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars only) 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 controller stated.
He warned that Customs will not be a part of nefarious acts which will jeopardize the safety and lives of the citizens of Nigeria, adding that any fraudulent importer or agent who tries to perpetrate such acts will be prosecuted accordingly.
The controller informed that all information on the said seizure has been forwarded to the Customs headquarters, Abuja and an approval was granted for the press conference.
He further said that the suspects, containers and the exhibit will soon be handed over to the agencies that are in charge of regulation of such importation and that the Service may decide to prosecute according to the Service Act, Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).
Furthermore the controller said that following an intensive surveillance operation on a routine examination carried out at Tincan Island Container Terminal on Container No. TTNU 804678/9 with declaration lodged on SGD CNo: 70754 of 24/08/2023, the container was found to contain frozen poultry products.
He revealed that Single Goods Declaration (SGD) and other supporting documents (Form M and PAAR) stated Tangerines which was used to conceal the frozen poultry products actually imported.
He said that the goods were falsely declared as they are Import Prohibition (Trade), and the Container seized for the contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).
Oloyede noted that the persistent fraudulent nature of importers and agents has driven the Service to be more innovative in putting methods and measures to combat smuggling activities, ensure no leakage of revenue to the Government and safety of Nigerians.
He concluded that the Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at their 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.
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