Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Apapa Port have intercepted a container-load of tramadol.
The 20ft. container identified with the number PCIU 01832 and coming from Singapore, was falsely declared to be loaded with static converter and switches.
The container was coming from Singapore but had been moved from one country to another in what Customs said was to cover up.
Briefing newsmen of the development, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, said the container had inside it 69 cartons of 250mg Tramadol and 81 Cartons of 250Mg.
According to the CAC, a second container was seized when upon examination it was discovered to be loaded with used clothes instead of the fitting materials declared.
The container, according to the Area Controller, was destined for the Kano Inland Container Terminal.
He said, “Credible intelligence received on the content of the cargo proved positive and the containers were tracked, traced and intercepted by our officers from the port of loading to the port of destination after passing through several ports of call.
“This intelligence is mainly received due to the service inter-departmental cooperation, collaboration and synergy within the government agencies in the port. We all know that we cannot do it all alone to make the port a better place for legitimate trade to thrive.
“This is also to reiterate our resolve that any attempt to bring in drugs and any prohibited item through the Apapa port will be uncovered and the perpetrators of such act shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We all know that the Nigeria Customs Service alone cannot do it, for a better service delivery at the port, therefore there is need for collaboration between us and other government agencies.
“Our effort at collaboration is so strong that it cannot be broken, we are fully at alert, the CGC and his management team has given us the IT structure which we would use to track illicit trade.
“We are going into full investigation to determine the worth of the drugs because a declaration has not been put in, we don’t just want to take chances, or found out that the container has been transited. The moment we get the information, we go straight to apprehend the container and examine it.
“However, we have a bill of laden which is a cardinal point for declaration and this is where we are tracing the consignee
“The product started from Hong Kong, to China, it had gone to four ports of call before coming to Nigeria.”
The Customs Command had earlier on Thursday handed over the seized drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which was received by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commander in Apapa, Mr. Ameh Inalogwu.
The NDLEA is notable for destroying seized drugs before witnesses from different agencies, including the media.
