Comptroller: Customs Area 2 Generates N550.4bn in 10 Months

* Seizes 22 containers laden with illicit drugs, donkey skin

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that within the space of about 10 months, its Area 2 Command, Onne, in Rivers State, has generated over N550.4billion revenue.

The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this on Monday, while briefing journalists on the recent achievements of the Command, with the display of seized illegal goods.

Displaying the illicit drugs and other goods at the Onne Port, Babandede explained that the command has so far achieved 89 percent of its annual target of N618billion given to the command.

It would be recalled that about two months ago, the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, while showcasing series of significant seizures made by officers of the Area 2 Command, declared a three-month state of emergency in Onne Port.

During the period, Adeniyi granted the authority of the Command to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of presence of their owners, noting that the approach will ensure that no illegal substances can evade detection.

Adhering to the directive of the CGC, Babandede said the command achieved a significant feat by arresting new twenty 40-feet and two 20-feet containers laden with illicit drugs and donkey skin.

He said: “In line with the Controller General of Customs Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, the Command working with Sister Agencies such as NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine and NAFDAC among others in implementing the State of emergency, has made yet another significant seizure of twenty 40feet and one 20feet containers laden with illicit drugs, which pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Then we have one 20feet container laden with donkey skin.”

He disclosed the illicit goods to 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 and 480,000 tablets of fake Stapsiril.
Also showcased are seized 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.

Babandede said the duty paid value of the twenty-one containers totals N46,399,119,810, while the duty paid value for the donkey skin is N441,000,000, adding that the seizures underscore agency’s commitment to combatting illicit medicine and ensuring the safety of the public.

His words: “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.

“Still on Anti-smuggling activities, 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 and over 56,878,900 tablets of 22 5mg 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. The Duty Paid Value of the seizures made so far is NI130,562,660,407.”

Speaking further, Babandede said in the area of Trade facilitation, the Command utilises World Customs Organisation trade facilitation tool to generate maximum revenue.

He further revealed: “In the Command 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.

“Still within the past months of this year, In the Area of revenue the Command as at this morning has generated a total revenue of N550,431,559,598.41 which translate to 89% of the annual target of 618 billion given to the Command.”

Babandede however commended the media for the critical role it played, especially in the area of sensitisation and public enlightenment, and lauded sister agencies for their collaboration in achieving the feat.

Comptroller Babandede who handed the seized illegal goods to the various agencies for further investigation and appropriate handling, revealed that two persons were arrested in connection with the current seizure and are undergoing investigation.