The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it intercepted 554 cartons of tramadol, 989 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products and other prohibited items worth N223.225 million at Apapa port.
The Command said it traced the contraband from Indian to port of Lome, Togo before it was finally shipped to Apapa port where it was seized.
Displaying the siezures to newsmen, the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mi Yusuf, said acting on the manifest, the command was able to track and intercept a container No: SEGU manifested as ceramic tiles.
Upon 100 per cent physical examination to ascertain it true contents, it was found to contain 554 cartons of tramadol capsules (120 milligrams) concealed with 1000 cartons of ceramic tiles. He disclosed
“Furthermore, with the support of my team, we are able to make the following interventions, one 40ft container loaded with sacks of mosquito coil products but falsely declared as ground paper and packaging paper bag, seven containers loaded with bales of used clothing and shoes and one container of unregistered pharmaceutical product (989) cartons of mixagrip tabs wrongfully declared as winches and gaskets,” he said. According to him, it is worthy to state that the consignments are out rightly seized for breaching the provisions of sections 46, 47 and 161 of CEMA CAP C45 LFN 2004 (17) of the Common External tariff.
He said based on the foregoing, the Command has launched a priliminary investigation with a view to identifying the consignee’s for arrest and possible prosecution in connection with this criminal and unlawful importation.
However, he said the Total Paid Value (DPV) of the aforementioned seizures stood at N223.225 million.
He assured members of the business community that the Command would increase sensitisation, enlightenment and robust stakeholders’ engagement for seamless operations, with a view to educate the public on the harmful and destructive nature of these illegal importations.
He said the command under his watch would not tolerate such kind of unlawful behavior from any importer or declarant.
Customs intercepts tramadol, others worth N223.2m
