NCS intercepts Indian hemp, Tramadol valued N5.1bn

Undercover operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 3,792 parcels of Indian hemp, one container of Tramadol, 66 trailers of rice amongst other prohibited substances valued at over N5.1 billion. The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A; Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu who made the disclosure on Tuesday at the Headquarters’ in Ikeja said the seizures were made along Lagos, Ogun and Oyo axis. Aliyu who said the Indian hemp was smuggled into the country from Ghana revealed that two suspects had also been arrested in connection with the seizures. Speaking on his achievements in the last four months of his assumption of duty as the Controller FOU, Aliyu said 34 exotic vehicles, 17 sacks of Pangolin scale, 2887kgs of vegetable oil, 1,439 pieces of used tyres, 180 pieces of compressors five 20feet containers of unprocessed wood and 2,520 pieces of textiles were detained and seized. In his remark, the Controller who gave further details on how the seizures were made said, “ The drive and desire to compliment the Comptroller General’s Policy of entrenching transparency and integrity while enforcing the core mandate of the Service is the determining factor for this uncompromising stand to succeed at all cost. “The Proactive steps of enforcement we have taken are truly achieving the desired result in the policy of the Federal Government in sustaining agriculture and self-sufficiency in food production, revamping the economic recovery plan, protecting National Security and ameliorating the potential health hazards of the negative impact of smuggled items to the average Nigerian citizenry. “Those who chose to be non-complaint will always fall victim of FOU sanctions.” Lamenting the dire consequences of the illicit substance especially the Indian hemp and Tramadol, the Comptroller said such substances are responsible for the many cases of crime and criminality in the country. He said, “No one knows the potential victims that may use the dangerous substance as it could be any member of the Nigerian family. Fighting this menace of drug abuse is fighting for the future of Nigerians endangered youths and any ‘would-be’ users of this illicit substance. “ As an enforcement Unit of the Service, the Federal Operations Unit will not rest on its oars until there is a total compliance that will translate to effective revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of legitimate trade and protecting our national security.” He said the Zone was determined to stem the tide against those who have decided to be non-conformist to legitimate process of importation and exportation clearance processes. Joy Anyim, Lagos