Nigeria Customs Service seizes N3.06bn worth of tramadol in Rivers

– About 59 containers of tramadol have been impounded by the Nigerian Customs Service

– Customs said 9 containers were falsely declared as containers containing PVC bulb valves and general merchandise goods

– The deputy comptroller-general in charge of enforcement, investigation and inspection of service, Augustine Chidi, said the offence contravened section 46 of customs

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, December 3, declared that it has impounded 59 containers of tramadol between Lagos and Rivers state in the last one month.

Channel TV reports that the deputy comptroller-general in charge of enforcement, investigation and inspection of customs, Augustine Chidi, made this known during a press conference at area 2 command in Onne Port area of the state.

He said: “They are under seizure of 9 by 40 containers of Tramadol and other controlled pain-killer drugs with a duty-paid value of N3.06 billion. These 9 containers were falsely declared as containers containing PVC bulb valves and general merchandise goods.

“But upon diligent profiling of the exporter in the country of origin India, there was reasonable suspicion that eventually led to the discovery of the dreaded drugs.”

According to the customs boss, the offence contravened Section 46 of customs and excise act, CAP LFN (2004).

Chidi disclosed that the comptroller general of customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (retired) had ordered an investigation into the matter with a view to “bring the perpetrators to justice”.

The deputy CG also reiterated the commitment of the service in preventing the importation of products considered as dangerous to the nation and also its efforts in raking revenue for the federal government.

According to him, “The NCS in increasing reliance on intelligence and technology continues to make it difficult for smugglers to have their way.

“I call on communities especially border community dwellers and port users to desist from the importation of illicit drugs and also support NCS by providing credible information that will help us do better.”

Meanwhile, TRACKNEWS.NG had reported that the NCS federal operations unit, zone A Lagos, arrested a bus containing 39 sacks and 1,220 parcels of Cannabis Sativa popularly known as Indian hem.

Mohammed Uba, the controller of the unit, said the vehicle was impounded alongside the driver after a tip-off from members of the public .

The evacuated 21 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,031kg and four pieces of elephant tusk weighing 29.35kg from a shop in a market in Victoria Island based on information by the Warehouse Operations team led by Mutalib Sule, a customs officer.