The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 2 Command in Onne, Rivers State, seized multiple containers of illegal drugs, including counterfeit tablets, with an estimated value exceeding N46.4 billion.
Additionally, the Command reported generating over N500 billion in revenue for 2024.
During a media briefing on Monday, Comptroller Mohammed Ndede, the Customs Area Controller at Onne, displayed the seized items to journalists, detailing the Command’s recent achievements in intercepting contraband.
Ndede emphasized, “The security concerns from recent seizures, including arms and ammunition, led to a three-month state of emergency, enabling the Command to inspect all suspicious containers, even without the owners present.”
Ndede attributed this proactive strategy to the leadership of the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who emphasized consolidation and collaboration in anti-smuggling efforts.
He added, “In cooperation with the NDLEA, DSS, Quarantine, and NAFDAC, we have seized 21 containers packed with illicit drugs posing significant public health risks, as well as a container of donkey skins.”
The breakdown of seized drugs included 2.6 million bottles of 100ml codeine cough syrup, 7.5 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, and 27 million tablets of Royal Tapentadol, among others.
“The Duty Paid Value for the drug-filled containers is N46.4 billion, and for the donkey skins, N441 million,” Ndede explained.
The drugs were concealed under plumbing materials and local tools, underscoring the sophisticated tactics used by smugglers.
Ndede noted that this crackdown underscores the Command’s commitment to fighting illicit drug trafficking and protecting public safety.
“Since implementing the state of emergency, we’ve made 63 container seizures, which include 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition,” he said.
The total Duty Paid Value of these seizures amounts to N130.6 billion.
On export contributions, Ndede highlighted the processing of over 2.4 million metric tonnes of goods valued at $826.6 million, underlining the Command’s role in economic growth and foreign trade.
For revenue, Ndede reported, “As of this morning, we’ve generated N550.4 billion, achieving 89 percent of our annual target of N618 billion.”
Two suspects have been arrested in relation to the recent seizures, and investigations are ongoing.
The event concluded with the formal handover of the seized items to agencies including the NDLEA and Quarantine, with others designated for NAFDAC to be transferred at a later date.
