By Bon Peters | News Updates In Nigeria Today
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area II Command, Onne Port in Rivers State has intercepted 16 containers loaded with contraband goods valued at over N20.5 billion. The seizure includes a large cache of illicit pharmaceutical products concealed among legitimate goods.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, made the announcement during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, commending the collaboration between Customs and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to information made available to The Bureau Newspaper “Eleven out of the 16 containers were found to contain dangerous pharmaceutical drugs such as codeine syrup, tramadol, and other unapproved substances hidden within consumer goods like ceiling fans, tomato paste, and vehicle parts,” said CGC Adeniyi.
Seized Items and Value
According to CGC Adeniyi, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures stands at N20,549,998,200. The seized drugs include:
- 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each)
- 9.3 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac
- 12.6 million tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg)
- 3.5 million tablets of Trodol (5mg)
- 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg)
- 717,360 tablets of Bisoveu
- 2.2 million tablets of Bassuka (50mg)
These pharmaceuticals were strategically hidden among items such as plumbing materials, vehicle parts, and household items to evade detection.
Collaboration, Enforcement, and Impact
The CGC emphasized the role of joint operations and intelligence sharing between Customs and sister agencies including NAFDAC, NDLEA, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Navy. He said these partnerships, guided by Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), have helped to dismantle smuggling syndicates.
“This seizure is a direct result of strategic enforcement and inter-agency collaboration. We are determined to block all illicit trade routes and protect Nigeria from threats to national health and economic stability,” he noted.
The health implications of such unregulated drugs include addiction, poor medical outcomes, and organized crime proliferation, the CGC added.
Official Handover to NAFDAC
The seized containers were officially handed over to Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, during the event.
Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, Controller of the Onne Command, thanked the CGC for his support, noting that the success was made possible through the commitment to collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The high-profile event had in attendance top Customs officials including:
- ACG SK Dangladima (Zonal Coordinator, Zone C)
- ACG T Bomodi (E, I, and I)
- Comptroller BA Balogun (FOU Zone C)
- Comptroller CC Dim (Eastern Marine Command)
- Comptroller YM Hashim (Area 1)
Other agencies represented were the NDLEA, Immigration, Police, Navy, and key maritime stakeholders including ANLCA, NAGAFF, APFFLON, and terminal operators.