Customs intercepts cartons of tramadol at Onne Port

Abiola Seun

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area ll Command, Onne Port in Rivers State, has uncovered 1387 cartons of prohibited Tramadol tablets concealed with 1000 cartons of ceramic tiles.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt. Auwal Mohammed said the banned items were found in 1x40ft container no MRKU0764717 that was picked as a result of intelligence gathering from international security network; and transferred to the warehouse for 100 percent physical examination.

“We are always ready to conduct 100 percent examination. We will not be pushed to do anything in a hurry as the clearance procedure is well explained.

“Hundred percent examination is one of the key aspects of the clearance procedure in Nigeria. Therefore, all importers should know that making unclear or false electronic declaration does not mean they will have an easy way out with their consignment.

“Every container that arrive Onne Port must be subjected to 100 percent examination after relevant duties and charges have been paid and necessary procedures followed. But no compromise to examination and all cargoes must be examined. And this is one of the results you are seeing here.

“Ordinarily, you can see that the same carton used to package the ceramic tiles is what was used to package the tramadol.

“So if you are just doing ordinary surface examination, you will assume that the whole container is laden with ceramic tiles.

“But because of the meticulous way we conduct our examination, we are able to separate between the items used for concealment; which is the ceramic tiles and the actual intent, cargo or consignment being imported. The drugs were packed in 120mg capsule, 20 satchet per pack, 18 packs per carton,” Mohammed said.

The CAC reiterated that no consignment will be released from Onne Port without the due diligence of hundred percent physical examination.

While investigations are on, Mohammed assured that the importer, agent and their collaborator will be prosecuted in competent court of law.

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