Apapa Customs Intercepts 40 Containers of Tramadol & “Cashew Nuts” turned 2 Helicopters

By ZION Olalekan |

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two helicopters as well as forty containers of tramadol valued at N7billion which was imported from India.

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Alli who briefed journalists in Apapa yesterday said an importer allegedly tried to bribe customs officers with $412,000, an equivalent of N150Million in order to clear one of the containers of tramadol from the port.

He confirmed that one of the containers had already exited the Apapa port with the connivance of some customs officers. Already, he said a custom officer and two others have been arrested in connection with the seizures.

While displaying the American dollars which was offered to induce officers at Apapa command and the Federal Operations Unit, he said the N150million was offered with promises of even bigger sums to follow in the event their first attempt succeeds.

He said the Officers played along and eventually arrested three suspects with the money.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Alli said one of the helicopters with SN-BLI was intended for export in container number PONU7789246 but was falsely declared as 388 bags of cashew nuts.

Alli said this action violates Section 36 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap C45, LFN 2004. He said investigations are ongoing to fish out the owners of the helicopter.

The second aircraft, a Cessna 182A according to him was imported from the United States of America, loaded in container number MRKU 4457663 and was intercepted by officers of the Area Command.

The aircraft which was declared through SGD No. C130308 of 09/10/2018 was seized because of the failure of the owner to present end user certificate from the office of the national security adviser as well as approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

He said “This is in contravention of Section 46 of CEMA, CapC4S, LPN 2004. While the seizures of dangerous drugs and aircrafts demonstrate NCS crucial contributions to national economic and security well-being, the rejection of N150million bribe, presents a picture of a reformed NCS whose operatives are increasingly putting national interest above selves.

“The Service achieved this feat through vigilance and intelligence gathering within the system, as well as information from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is a strong ally of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“I commend the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye and her management team for their collaboration in the attainment of this feat.

“It is indeed worrisome to note that there are Nigerians who are ready to make money at the expense of human lives by bringing in such quantity of drugs that have grave consequences on health and national security”.

The customs boss commended the Customs Area Controller, Officers and Men of Apapa Command for their exemplary commitment to duty even as he assured that the officers who helped to intercept the containers would be recommended for promotion.