Customs intercepts codeine, tramadol, others valued over N2bn
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Custom Service said it has intercepted another truck loaded with 2,748 cartons of Codeine syrup and 49 cartons of Tramadol capsule among other items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N2 billion.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, while briefing journalists on the recent breakthroughs by the command on Wednesday said the truck of codeine was intercepted along Afromedia Estate by Alaba International Market, while the Tramadol capsules were evacuated from a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Lagos.
This set of seizure comes barely two weeks after the Unit had intercepted a truck with 498 cartons of codeine been transported to the Eastern part of the country.
Although no arrest has been made, as the owners of the prohibited substance fled on sighting Customs officials, Uba lamented the continued importation of such substances which he said is dangerous in the hands of the youth.
Uba said, “This is the second time in a row the Unit is intercepting this substance since the Federal Government banned the importation of cough syrup that contains codeine. The driver of the truck on sighting our officers abandoned the truck and fled.
“Also, the 49 cartons of tramadol capsules 100mg were evacuated from warehouse in Ajao Estate based on information. The drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation.”
Similarly, the unit also said 21 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,031kg and four pieces of elephant tusk weighing 29.35kg, all with a DPV of over N253 Million were evacuated from a shop located at Tejosho market, Lagos.
Uba who said no suspect was arrested in connection with the seizures, raised alarm over the increasing rate at which Pangolin scales and elephant tusks are been exported illegally.
Recall that earlier in the year the Unit had intercepted N2 billion worth of Pangolin scales and arrested two Chinese nationals in the process.
Speaking on the recent seizures, Uba said, “This set of seizure was made based on information by the Warehouse Operations team led by AC Mutalib Sule.
The Occupant of the shop fled and still at large but investigation is already ongoing towards getting the culprit arrested and prosecuted.
“You will recall that the Minister of State for Environment, Mallam Usman Jibril accompanied by the CITES Delegates from UN visited the Unit, inspected the previous seizure of such endangered species this year and even commended us for a job well done.
The trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited, hence the need for us all to fight against such illegality so that such endangered species do not go into extinction.”
Other seizures by the command were said to include; 17 used vehicles, 1,610kgs of Indian hemp, 1,380 bags of 50kg rice, with eight suspects arrested for the seizures.
