The Nigeria Customs Service said it has intercepted N3.06 billion worth of Tramadol and other controlled pain-killer drugs, at Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne. Rivers State.
Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Augustine Chidi, in Onne, announced that the contraband drugs were in nine 40ft containers.
Chidi said that the nine containers with a duty paid value of N3,060,000,000.00, were falsely declared as containing PVC ball valves and general merchandise goods .
Speaking further, the Deputy Comptroller-General said that upon diligent profiling of the exporter in the country of origin, India, there was reasonable suspicion that eventually led to the discovery of the dreaded drugs.
He recalled that 50 containers were impounded recently in Lagos, bringing the total number of impounded containers of contraband drugs to 59.
Chidi stated that the importation contravened Section 46 of Customs and Excise Management Act. Cap. 45 Laws of the Federal Government.
Also, he said that the Comptroller-General of Customs , Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd) had ordered a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He said: “You will recall that last week, Nigeria Customs Service announced the seizure of 50 containers in Lagos . This brings to a total of 59 containers of controlled drugs so far seized within this month.
“These nine containers were falsely declared as containing PVC ball valves and general merchandise goods, but upon deligent profiling of the exporter in the country of origin , India , there was resonable suspicion that eventually led to the discovery of the dreaded drugs
“This importation contravenes section 46 of Customs and Excise Management Act .Cap. 45. LFN. Already , the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali has ordered a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice”, he stated.
Fielding questions from journalists, he said that the Nigeria Customs was worried that it is experiencing increasing attempts by unpatriotic elements, who are morally bankrupt, and determined to make money at all cost.
He said that the Nigeria Customs will not relent on its role of contributing to national and security well-being of Nigerians, by ensuring that items that could negatively affect the citizens, are not allowed entry into the country.
In his speech, the Customs Area Controller, Area II Command, Onne, Comptroller Aliyu Saidu, disclosed that Federal Government has imported and configured three profiling scanners to curb the illegal activities of importers.
Aliyu added that very soon, he would take delivery of one of the three scanners and expressed optimism that the scanners would facilitate the jobs of the command .
He said, “Procurement of scanners would enhance our job and revenue base, and the issue of concealment would be a thing of the past immediately we achieve that”, he expressed.
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