Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne Port in Rivers State has intercepted 22 containers ladened with illicit drugs such as Codeine cough syrup, diclofenac and large quantity of donkey skin.
Customs Area 2, Comptroller, Mohammed Babandede,who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Monday at the port, said the latest feat was achieved through collaboration with sister agencies such as the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC), Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Agricultural (NAQS) at the port.
According to him,the seizures were consequent upon the Controller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’ declared a state of emergency at the Port during his last visit to the Command two months ago.
He disclosed that the confiscated items were hidden by the perpetrators in sanitary wares, waste connectors and chilly cutters.
He added:”In line with the Controller General of Custom’s policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, the command working with sister agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC amongst others in implementing the State of Emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of 20 40 feet and one 20 feet container laden with illicit drugs, which poses a severe threat to public health and safety and a one 20 feet container laden with donkey skin.”
Giving a breakdown of the confiscated items, Babandede enumerated said; 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 3,500,00 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol/Tamolx, 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake gonorrhoea antibiotics without NAFDAC number, 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine, 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine.
“19,430 pieces of chilly cutter used for concealment, 29,238 pieces of sanitary fittings tap/ toilet seat used for concealment, 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake permethrin cream, 480,000 tablets of fake strapsiril, 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplements, 28 drums of diphenhydramine hydrochloride IP of 25kg each, 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment and 2,100 pieces donkey skin.”
He disclosed that the duty paid value of each of the 21 containers of the illicit drugs amounted to N46,399,119,810, while the duty paid value of the container with the donkey skin is N441,000,000.
Restating his commitment to ensuring public safety,Babandede said:”These seizures underscore our unwavering commitment to combating illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public.
“The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.”
He noted that on anti-smuggling, the command within 2024 seized a total of 63 containers.
Babandede disclosed that the command has generated a total of N550,431,559,598.41, translating to 89 percent of the annual target of 618 billion given to the Command.
He commended all sister agencies operating at the port for their support, adding that the confiscated drugs would be handed over to NAFDAC and NDLEA while the donkey skin would be handed over to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
