The Lagos Free Trade Zone Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over two containers of Tramadol to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The Command also generated a revenue of N278,784,955,653 from the month of January to October, 2024.
The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Olanrewaju Abdulwahab Olumoh, who disclosed this to Journalists during a press briefing said the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi ordered the handover of the drugs to the NDLEA.
According to him, the seizures include:”1x40ft Container Number TLLU7519041 Found to Contain: 159 cartons of Royal Tramadol 225mg, 50 cartons of Black Tramarking Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.,180 cartons of Tramaking Tramadol 225mg.
“1x40ft Container Number TLLU7519041Found to Contain, 115 cartons of Trama King 225mg, 245 cartons of Tamral 225mg”
Comptroller Olumoh explained that based on the rather alarming trend of the illicit importations in Onne, the CGC directed all seaports and Customs formations across the country to demonstrate greater vigilance by ensuring that no offensive items, contrabands or unauthorized drugs come into the country through their areas of jurisdiction.
He emphasized that the Command is relatively young in terms of year of establishment and its location is strategic to fight against illicit trade.
“Hence, in line with the vision of the CGC, we have been very committed to promoting international trade and investment, facilitating legitimate trade and doing everything possible to advance the economic progress of the country especially by making our seaport in Lekki the maritime hub in the West Africa sub region.
“However, in performing this role of facilitating a business-friendly environment, we have a critical function to perform in terms of preventing our port and the free zones from becoming a channel through which illicit items enter the country.”
“Towards achieving this goal, we have been proactive in terms of gathering and working on credible intelligence as well as being doubly strict in the conduct of cargo inspection and more importantly, we collaborate with other agencies in our port, notably the NDLEA, DSS, Police and NAFDAC. Collaboration, has you may wish to know, has been one of the three strategic policy thrust of the CGC.” he said.
