The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing fight against illicit drug trafficking with the interception of a staggering shipment worth over ₦46.4 billion in Rivers State.
On November 11, 2024, the Area 2 Command at Onne Port successfully confiscated 22 containers filled with various illicit drugs and banned substances, marking a major win for Nigeria’s public safety efforts.
The intercepted drugs included a large quantity of dangerous substances, highlighting the serious threats posed by drug trafficking operations in Nigeria. Among the seized items were:
- 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Codeine cough syrup
- 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg diclofenac
- 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol
- 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol/Tamolx
- 7,665,000 tablets of counterfeit gonorrhea antibiotics without NAFDAC approval
- 15,600,000 tablets of fake chlorphenamine
- 33,840,000 tablets of fake Lemotil (Loperamide)
In addition to the drugs, officials uncovered a container filled with donkey skin, which is also regulated due to its use in traditional medicine. This discovery underscores the complexity of illicit trade networks and their efforts to evade customs regulations.
The traffickers went to great lengths to conceal the illicit cargo. The drugs were hidden within sanitary wares and plumbing materials, demonstrating the lengths to which smugglers will go to evade detection.
The total duty paid value for the seized illicit drugs amounts to an eye-watering ₦46.4 billion. The donkey skin, which is also subject to regulatory scrutiny, was valued at ₦441 million, further illustrating the scale of the smuggling operation.
The successful interception was made possible through a coordinated effort with several sister agencies. Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, who oversees the Area 2 Command, highlighted the role of collaboration in achieving this milestone. Agencies involved in the operation included:
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- Department of State Security (DSS)
- Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
Babandede credited the collaborative efforts, especially the state of emergency declared by the Controller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, two months ago, as instrumental in improving scrutiny of containers suspected of carrying contraband.
During a media briefing at Onne Port, Babandede emphasized the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enhancing public safety and combating drug trafficking.
“These seizures underscore our unwavering commitment to combating illicit medicine and ensuring public safety… The implementation of this state of emergency has proven effective in enhancing our operational capabilities,” Babandede stated.
He also highlighted the 63 containers seized since the beginning of 2024 as part of broader efforts to curtail smuggling activities across the nation.
In addition to its anti-smuggling successes, the Area 2 Command has also made significant strides in revenue generation. Babandede reported that the command had generated over ₦550 billion in revenue so far this year, representing about 89% of its annual target of ₦618 billion.
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