The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)Tin-Can Island Port command, Apapa, Lagos, has detained two suspects for allegedly importing N550million worth of banned drugs.
Briefing Journalists in Lagos on Monday, Customs Area Controller, Adekunle Oloyede, explained that the officers of the command also rejected an offer of $54,330 (N50 million) bribe from one of the suspects.
The two containers of banned drugs, Oloyede said, were declared as electronics by the scrupulous importers who have been detained.
The imports, valued at N550.2 million, originated from India and included 175,200 bottles of CSMIX cough syrup codeine stacked in 876 cartons with each carton containing 200 bottles.
Oloyede explained further that 50 cartons of manual grater machine containing 70 pieces per carton and one carton of ceiling fan were used as decoy to conceal the drugs.
The Area Comptroller added that 84 cartons of gastro resistant omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, were discovered in the container, saying that each carton contains 50 packets of 10 capsules each.
He announced that a timely intelligence from the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) on the suspected importation of unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products concealed in two 40 feet containers with bill of lading numbers 227578945 and 227898171 led to the seizures.
He explained that the owner of the containers had been arrested after he offered $54,000 as bribe to move out the cargoes from the port.
“Two suspects have been arrested and are presently at the custody of the Enforcement Unit in accordance with the investigation process of the service.
“One of suspects in custody, Mr. Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner (Importer) of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement DC GI Aliyu and Team Manager CIU AC H Abubakar.
“I instructed my officers to play along, the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50,000,000 equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as exhibit.”
He added that, on arrival of the vessel at Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT), the containers marked MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1 were transferred immediately to the enforcement station for 100 per cent physical examination for further investigation.
“The physical examination was conducted on both containers by Enforcement Officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police and Examination officers of the Terminal on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hours and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 13:00hours, respectively. The following were discovered:
“Container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated the items laden were 1,016 packages containing electrical goods ceiling fan,36 jewel (Cooper) and chilly cutters (stainless steel plastic) but after examination, the container was found to contain five cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.
“Ten cartons of Super Royal 225 Tramadol. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet of 10 tablets, 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules, 754 cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles, 50 cartons of Manual Grater Machine – 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment, one cartons of Compo ceiling fan as means of concealment,” Oloyede said.
The Customs chief noted that the unregistered’ pharmaceutical products intercepted were regulated products by NAFDAC and didn’t have the required permits and certificates for importation in which the documents were to ascertain the safety of the products to Nigerians.
The comptroller assured that the service would not be a part of nefarious acts which would jeopardise the safety and lives of law abiding Nigerians, adding that any fraudulent importer or agent who tried to perpetrate such acts would be arrested and prosecuted.
