The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area II Command, Once has generated a total revenue of ₦550,431,559,598.41, which translates to 89 per cent of the annual target of N618 Billion given to the Command for 2024.
This follows the significant seizure of twenty 40feet and one 20feet containers laden with illicit drugs worth ₦46,399,119,810.
Briefing newsmen on Monday in Onne, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede stated that the seized drugs pose severe threat to public health and safety. He noted that the command also seized one 20feet container laden with donkey skin.
The seizures include: 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine; 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac; 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol; 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/ Tramadol/Tamolx; 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhea Antibiotics without NAFDAC number and 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlorphenamine.
Others are: 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lemotil Loperamine; 19,430 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment; 20,238 pieces of Sanitary Fittings Tap/toilet seat used for concealment! 26,400 tubes of 30mg fake Permethrin cream; 480,000 tablets of fake Stapsiril; 112,500 tablets of fake multi mineral supplement; 28 drums of diphenhydramine; Hydrochloride ip of 25kg each; 3,388 pieces of waste connector used for concealment and 2,100 pieces of donkey skin.
According to Comptroller Babandede, the seizures underscore the NCS’s unwavering commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public.
He noted that the Command worked with sister agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC among others to achieve the feat, in line with the Comptroller General of Customs Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration.
His words: “You will recall exactly two months and seven days ago, precisely 4th of September 2024 the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr was in Onne Port where he showcased series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command.
“Twelve (12) containers were displayed of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination.
“The security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through this port led to the declaration of a three month state of emergency where the Command have been granted the authority to scrutinize all suspected containers, regardless of the presence of their owners.
“This proactive approach aims to ensure that no illegal substances can evade detection. The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.”
“The Command under my stewardship this year, including these seizures on display has now made a total seizure of 63 containers comprising of: 844 Riffles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition, Over 6,469,253 bottles of 100ml syrup with codeine
Over 56,878,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol /Tramadol/Tamolx, among others for violations or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 233, 234, 235, 245, 246 of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Babandede also disclosed that in area of export, a total of 2,436,408.33 Metric tonnes of goods with a free on board (FOB) value of $826,613,015.87 was processed through the Command.
