Customs rakes N303.5bn, intercept 13 Tramadol containers worth N3.13bn

Not less than a whopping N303.5 billion was generated between January till date by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), higher than N253 billion raked in the corresponding period of 2017. This is just as it disclosed that a fresh 13 containers of Tramadol, dangerous drugs with other contraband items worth N3.13 billion were intercepted at the Apapa ports by the Tin-Can Island Customs Command. The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), disclosed this to the newsmen on Friday, saying that the revenue vigour has yielded positive results particularly in dealing with issues of underpayment, undervaluation, under transfer, concealment, falsification of documents among others. According to Customs CG, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Austin Chidi, let me on this note appreciate the Customs Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Port, and indeed all officers and men of the Command for their deep sense of commitment which has been evident in their Revenue and Seizure records. The Service will surely expect more from you especially at this period when the volume of trade is expected to go up. “Consequent upon our increased surveillance on declarations made in Tincan Island Port command to ascertain/untrue declarations, some containers found to be loaded with prohibited items were seized and forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria in line with the provision of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004 sections 46 and 161.” He emphasized that, the command remains a trailblazer in the introduction and application of the Time Release Studies for the evaluation of the officers to ensure that needless days are identified and regularised in our quest to achieving 48hours clearance timeline in line with presidential direction. He noted that various facilitation platforms put in place in the command in compliance with the presidential directives on ease of doing business. These among other include the one-stop treatment area where all alerts are resolved under one roof. Speaking on seizure of containers of Tramadol and other dangerous drugs, explained that two of the containers had earlier been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the 11th and 20th of October, 2018; while one of the containers was also handed over to the NDLEA on the 2nd of November,2018; thereby leaving the Command with 10 containers of Tramadol. “The seizures include 11by40feet and 2by20feet containers of mostly Tramadol, Ciprofloxacin capsules, Diclofenac Sodium tablets, Soffeathe I.V Cannula, Sildenafil Citrate tablets, Bleaching soaps, and Bales of used clothing. All were seized and forfeited to the Federal Government in line with the provision of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004, sections 46 and 161. “In the same vein, a container of soap suspected to contain harmful bleaching ingredients and two-second hand clothing’s were also seized. All these seizures were in violation of the absolute prohibition list of CET 2015-2019. “The Service wishes to reiterate its concern for the health and security of Nigerians, and one would better imagine the devastating effect on the life of our youths if these quantities of unwholesome drugs had found its way into the market. We want to reassure the Nation that the Customs will not renege on its mandate irrespectively of its circumstances.” Adebayo Temitope