Again, Customs Intercepts another 10 containers of tramadol in Lagos.

Tayo Oladipupo

Tin Can command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it intercepted 10 containers of banned drug, tramadol worth N3 billion in Lagos, Friday.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the Apapa command seized 40 containers of the banned drugs worth over N7.3 billion.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who briefed the press after taking journalists round the seizure maintained that 10 pieces of 20 feet containers were predominantly imported from India.

The CG who was represented at the briefing by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Enforcement, Intelligence and Investigations, Augustine Chidi added that two containers of used clothing and another of harmful bleaching ingredients were also seized.

Speaking further, Alli said the seizures were in line with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN 2004, Sections 46 and 161.

“The Tin Can Island Command has re-jigged its operational methodology to deal with the trend and with the renewed vigour has yielded positive results positive results particularly in dealing with issues of under payment, under valuation, value transfer, concealment, falsification of documents among others.

“The seizures include the following; 11×40 and 2×20ft containers of Tramadol, Ciproflaxin capsules, Diclofenac Sodium Tablets, Soffeathe IV Cannula, Sildencfil Cotrate Tablets, Bleaching Soaps, Bales of used clothing with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,134,029,290.00

“In the same vein, a container of soap suspected to contain harmful bleaching ingredients and two containers of second hand clothing were seized in line with the provisions of CEMA.

On the revenue drive of the Tin Can Island Command between January and November 2018, the customs boss added that it generated a total of N303.5 billion between January and November as against N253 billion within the same period in 2017.

In line with the presidential directive on the ease of doing business at the ports, the Comptroller General called on relevant security agencies to continually work for the overall interest of the country, in achieving 48hours cargo clearance timeline .

He also warned that the service will apply very strict sanctions on acts capable of jeopardizing the efforts of the service as achieving better efficiency in the discharge of its mandate.