Customs Seizes Container Load of Fake Drugs from India

Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, wednesday announced that it had arrested a 40-feet container loaded with fake drugs imported from India.

The Comptroller of FOU, Mohammed Uba Garba, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stated that the 1,442 cartons of drugs (Tramadol225/120mg) in container number MSKU 98895 1X40ft and a MAN Diesel truck with Reg no. RRU 513 XA, were intercepted along Apapa-Oshodi and Benin-Ijebu Ode expressways.

He said his anti-smuggling effort also led to the seizure of seven other containers that contravened customs law by means of false declaration and breach of import prohibition list by trade.

“While three of the containers carried 5,014 pieces of used tyres, used fridges, used double electric burner, the other containers carried 499 cartons of Eva soap as against poultry incubator declared in the SGD. This act of false declaration falls under section 46 (d),(e),(f) of CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004, which tantamount to outright seizure.

“You can see how clearly the Government loses revenue to these economic saboteurs. Just yesterday, we intercepted one DAF Truck with Reg No. DAL 543 ZX carrying 1,200 cartoons of smuggled poultry products along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Similarly, container No. BOMU 588006/6 1X40ft conveying 400 bales of second hand clothing was also seized, “he said.
Garba disclosed that 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures.

He said the various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N200.99 million were seized between June 13 and July 10, 2017.

“In the same vein, the unit, through our interventions, recovered N28.95 million from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to outsmart our officers at seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and short-change in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative of N229.95 million from June 13 to July 10, 2017, making it another spectacular breakthrough in anti-smuggling operations under my watch.

“Within this period, 40 different seizures were recorded comprising vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, smuggled vehicles, medicaments, used tyres, and various general merchandise. You will agree with me that the fight against smuggling can only be won if all hands are on deck. The commitment, doggedness, resilience and diligence of the officers and men of the FOU A for foiling the antics of smugglers who used different methods for concealment cannot be over emphasised,” Garba noted.