Customs intercepts N4.1bn worth of illicit drugs at Tin-Can Island Port
The Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday made public a massive seizure of illicit drugs worth N4.1 billion, at the Tin-Can Island port, Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, told newsmen at a briefing in Lagos, that the Service seized illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at over N4.1 billion as part of its efforts to check nefarious activities of some importers.
Adeniyi said the seizures were possible as a result of the determination of the Customs to protect the nation’s ports and borders from illegal shipment of drugs, arms, wildlife, and petroleum products.
He gave the details of the seizures as including “Container 1 (40ft): Disguised within were 3 plastic drums containing packets of Cannabis Indica and 46 bags totalling 2,144 packets, with a combined weight of 1,072 kilograms. The estimated street value of these seized substances is N3,216,000,000.00 (Three Billion Two Hundred Sixteen Million Naira).
–Second Container (40ft): Originating from India; this shipment contained 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine (each carton holding 200 bottles of 100ml) and 82 cartons of Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium 50mg tablets (with 600 packs per carton). The approximate street value of the intercepted cough syrup is N964,339,348.00 (Nine Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty Eight Naira)”.
The CGC said the misuse of the substances like Cannabis Indica and codeine poses grave threats to our society.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to combating criminal networks working to undermining national security and economic stability through such importations.
The CGC added that the items were capable of endangering public health as well as fuelling criminal activities and instability in the society.
He said that the Customs would also remain steadfast in its commitment to dismantle criminal operations.
He acknowledged the cooperation of the Nigeria Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the seizure and called on patriotic Nigerians to engage only in legitimate business activities.
