The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said that it
made seizures of 40 containers of tramadol valued at N7,318,978,065. 00, and two Aircrafts.
made seizures of 40 containers of tramadol valued at N7,318,978,065. 00, and two Aircrafts.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) told
newsmen in Lagos that the items came from India.
newsmen in Lagos that the items came from India.
For the Aircrafts, Ali said the importers could not provide necessary
documents, including End User Certificates.
documents, including End User Certificates.
The CG revealed that three suspects, among them customs
officers that cleared the products have been arrested for investigation.
officers that cleared the products have been arrested for investigation.
Describing the products, tramadol, which came from India as
dangerous to health, he said criminal elements, including terrorists and
kidnappers use such drugs to help them commit more crime.
dangerous to health, he said criminal elements, including terrorists and
kidnappers use such drugs to help them commit more crime.
He disclosed that the importers of the items had offered a
whooping sum of N150million just for one container to be released to them.
But he said the bribe offer was rejected.
whooping sum of N150million just for one container to be released to them.
But he said the bribe offer was rejected.
He said, “The Service achieved this feat through vigilance
and intelligence gathering within the system, as well as information from the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is
a strong ally of the Nigeria Customs Service.
and intelligence gathering within the system, as well as information from the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is
a strong ally of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“I commend the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Moiisola
Adeyeye and her management team for their collaboration in the attainment of
this feat.
Adeyeye and her management team for their collaboration in the attainment of
this feat.
“It is indeed worrisome to note that there are Nigerians who
are ready to make money at the expense of human lives by bringing in such
quantity of drugs that have grave consequences on health and national security.
are ready to make money at the expense of human lives by bringing in such
quantity of drugs that have grave consequences on health and national security.
“In their criminal desperation, importers of this items
offered bribes to the tune of N150 million to our officers to effect the release
of just one container with promises of even bigger sums to follow in the event
that, their first attempt succeeds.
offered bribes to the tune of N150 million to our officers to effect the release
of just one container with promises of even bigger sums to follow in the event
that, their first attempt succeeds.
“The Officers played along and eventually arrested three
suspects with the money.
“Let me assure you that the on-going investigation will be
thorough to bring all those remotely connected to justice.”
suspects with the money.
“Let me assure you that the on-going investigation will be
thorough to bring all those remotely connected to justice.”
The Customs CG also said the helicopter and aircraft seized
by the Apapa Command were meant for export.
by the Apapa Command were meant for export.
The two were declared as 388 bags of cashew nuts, an action
he said violates section 36 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEKA),
cap C45, LFN 2004.
he said violates section 36 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEKA),
cap C45, LFN 2004.
He promised to fish out those behind export of both
helicopter and aircraft.
helicopter and aircraft.
Ali added, “The second aircraft, a Cessna 182A imported from
the United States of America (USA), loaded in container number MRKU 4457663 was
intercepted by officers of the Area Command.
the United States of America (USA), loaded in container number MRKU 4457663 was
intercepted by officers of the Area Command.
“The aircraft which was declared through SGD No. C130308 of
09/10/2018 was seized because of the failure of the owner(s) to present: (1).
End-User-Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser, and
(ii). Approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. This is in
contravention of Section 46 of CEMA, CapC45, LPN 2004.
09/10/2018 was seized because of the failure of the owner(s) to present: (1).
End-User-Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser, and
(ii). Approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. This is in
contravention of Section 46 of CEMA, CapC45, LPN 2004.
“While the seizures of dangerous drugs and aircrafts
demonstrate NCS crucial contributions to national economic and security
well-being, the rejection of N150million bribe, presents a picture of a
reformed NCS whose operatives are increasingly putting national interest above
selves.”
demonstrate NCS crucial contributions to national economic and security
well-being, the rejection of N150million bribe, presents a picture of a
reformed NCS whose operatives are increasingly putting national interest above
selves.”
He commended the officers of Apapa Command for their exemplary
commitment to duty.
commitment to duty.
