– Five suspects arrested
Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Monday intercepted narcotics, fire arms, ammunitions and pharmaceuticals and other unauthorised goods at the Apapa Port in Lagos valued at over N10Billion.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday intercepted narcotics, firearms, ammunition, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods at the Apapa Port in Lagos, with an estimated value of N10 billion.
Speaking to Newsmen in Lagos, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi said that it was against the backdrop of the increase in smuggling of unregistered pharmaceuticals that the agency decided to ban the stemming of containers to Bonded terminals.
Adeniyi also said that the seizure of 16 containers of goods whose importation violates trade laws and threatens the nation’s peace and security.
He explained that initially, some of the containers were adjudged clean adding that on a second search by operatives of the Nigeria Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado Loud, that is, Canadian drugs. Each of the cans weighs 500 grams, and the total seizure involved is 101 kilograms.
Some of the he seizures include seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.
Others are arms and ammunition were discovered inside the container which include Two pump-action rifles and 25 cartridges of ammunition were discovered along with one Smith and Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, one blank bullet and a number of accessories.
He said: “It is our intention to continue to review our systems, our processes, and our engagements so that we can do better. It’s in the light of this that I would like to revisit the debate ignited by our decision to stop the stepping down of containers of pharmaceutical products to bonded terminals. I have heard reports indicating that Nigeria Customs Service cannot trample upon the rights of importers to make use of bonded terminals of their choice.
“I very much agree with those arguments that we needed to give priorities to the issues of trade facilitation. These terminals that we are talking about operate under license provided by the Board of Nigeria Customs Service. Our obligation in licensing them is not only to facilitate trade but also ensure that security and compliance regulations are met.
“Have all the bonded terminals met these obligations? Some of them have, but so many of them have failed to meet these obligations. And this is why we are reiterating our position that until further notice we will no longer allow pharmaceutical products to be stamped into terminals outside our ports. Within the ports, we will undertake operations that are risk-led and that are intelligence-driven to let us discover containers that have illicit products.
“Our obligations and our mandate to keep our nations safe from the threats posed by the importation of our drugs, pharmaceuticals, and other criminalities that threaten our nation is unshaking. Our briefing today will address the outcome of our renewed onslaught and operations that seeks to enhance our national security.
“I would like to begin with the seizure of 1×40-footer container number MRSU6407089. This container on receipt of intelligence was jointly examined by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA.
“Initially, this container was adjudged clean. But secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado Loud, that is, Canadian drugs. Each of the cans weighs 500 grams, and the total seizure involved is 101 kilograms.
“Other seizures include that of seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing. Over the weekend, we also launched an operation through the customs area where one container, one by 40-footer container, number OERU4243517, was seized.
“Another container, FBIU5507953, a 40-footer container, also had 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken. Another interesting seizure has to do with an importation that has infringed intellectual property rights.
“It was established that the container with number ZZSU7277511, had 305 cartons of toothpastes that were concealed with beads and Jalabiya dress. This particular seizure also underscores what customs does with other agencies of government regarding the enforcement of branch rules. It was a case of infringement of a brand owned by a Nigerian company.
“Because these products were also not registered by NAFDAC, in addition to the brand infringement, they are subject to seizure. Two other containers of expired chest and lung tablets without NAFDAC registration number were also seized. And as we were putting together this press briefing, two containers that we have followed over a period of time from our partners arrived at our ports yesterday.
“And true to the information that we received, these two containers, 40-footer containers, contained codeine. These two containers have also been seized. And the information that we had on these containers is linking the owners to that of the previous ones that we have made.
“The information that we are getting from this will help us to determine the link between the importers of the previous ones. It will help us to establish the culpability of the importers and of course their agents. The duty paid values of all these seizures is in excess of 10 billion Naira.
“Arrests have been made and prosecutions have started. A total of five arrests have been made. Out of the five, three have been charged and they have appeared in courts.
“And they are presently remanded in Ikoyi prisons pending the hearing of the substantive case sometime next month. Two others are presently on administrative bail and they are waiting for their dates in court. We have creditable intelligence that suggests that all of these criminal elements are all working together.
“It is our vow, our solemn promise, that as these people are working together, we will also work with our partners, local and international, the NAFDAC, NDLA, other customs administrations all over the world, using the instrumental of customs to customs cooperation to identify those who are behind these operations, those who are behind the importations of these drugs into Nigeria, and ensure that Nigeria does not become a dumping ground for them, and ensure that we do not allow these criminal elements to threaten our collective peace and security.”
