Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has impounded seven containers laden with outlawed codeine syrup (hard drugs) valued at N11 billion at Area 2 Command of the NCS, Onne Port in Rivers State.
The parastatal also said it has generated over N350 billion in revenue in the first half of the year.
Customs Area Controller, Area 2 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede broke the news to reporters at his Onne office yesterday.
Babandede said the seizure was made in collaboration with the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other sister agencies.
He said: “In line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust of collaboration and consolidation, the Command on receipt of credible intelligence on some 40-foot containers sprang into action and, in collaboration with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Onne Port, these containers were identified, positioned and jointly examined.
“A total of seven seized containers containing 1,054, 400 bottles of different cough syrup codeine (100ml), 9,100 pieces of Chilly Cutter, 3,175,000 tablets of Hyergra tablets (200mg), and 1,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief tablets (50mg) were seized.
“The above seizures are estimated at N11. 2 billion, which represents a huge loss on the part of those involved despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of further investigation.”
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The Comptroller expressed worry about the activities of drug barons, who he said, are bent on frustrating the country, but vowed that the Command would not tolerate any action that compromised the economy and security of the nation.
He said the seized items and the culprits would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
“You are aware that on the first of this month, the Controller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was in the Command and he addressed members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm on recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.
“Despite his warming on that day, it is unfortunate that some saboteurs have continued to engage in the unpatriotic act of undermining the importation processes, guidelines, and procedures.
“Notwithstanding, in the face of the challenging security situation in the country the Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to step up its security function in the area of policing our Sea Port in such a way that those who do not wish our nation well will not have their way,” he said.
Speaking on the area of revenue generation, the Controller said: “In the area of revenue, the Command in the first half of the year generated over N312 billion which translates to 50.5 percent of the annual target given to the Command.
“As of this morning, the Command has generated over N48 billion in the month of July and we still have five working days left in the month.”
He assured that the Command would increase its revenue profile and protect public health and safety.
