The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, on Friday 20th October 2017, handed over two 40ft containers of drugs falsely declared as vehicles, cartons of makeup items and Computer Accessories respectively to officials of the National Agency for Foods, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to the command, the discovery was sequel to the latest operational method adopted by the Command through profiling, cargo selectivity and system checks of the advance electronic manifest.
The Customs Area Controller COMPTROLLER BASHAR YUSUF who made the disclosure stated that the Command is adopting these procedures to ensure that all Imports are electronically monitored with a view to identifying non-compliant declarations and other infractions which could jeopardize the change ideology of the Service.
He stated that the containers were flagged following some discrepancies in the documentation and declaration made in the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form C 2010, hence the need for further checks.
The Controller pointed out that the declarations made on SGD C-No. 13473 of 09-02-2017 and SGD C- N0. 84118 of 24-08-2017 were at variance with the contents in the system bill lading, which fuelled the suspicion.
He directed that the two containers be brought down to the Enforcement Unit for 100% Examination which revealed as follows;
MSKU 071916/0
240 Cartons of New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg Tablets.
240 Cartons of Double Extra Strong Tramadol 200mg.
240 Cartons of Super Power Tramadol Hydrochloride
70 Cartons of Ibamol – Diclofenac Sodium Capsules 50mg
60 Cartons of Really Extra – Analgesique
MRKU 256545/8
240 Cartons of New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg Tablets.
60 Cartons of Really Extra – Analgesique, Antipyretique, Anti-Inflammatoire Tablets.
240 Cartons of Double Extra Strong Tramadol 200mg
240 Cartons of Super Power Tramadol Hydrochloride
70 Cartons of Ibamol – Diclofenac Sodium Capsules 50mg
While handing over the two (2) containers to NAFDAC officials, the Customs Area Controller reiterated his resolve to make the Command a model Port where compliant traders will enjoy all the tools for trade facilitation created by the Nigeria Customs Service in line with Global Best Practices.
He enjoined Importers and their Agents to continually uphold the tenets of integrity and due diligence in their declarations as anything contrary would be viewed seriously.