Checkmating Bonded Terminals’ Role In Smuggling Of Arms, Ammunition, Drugs Into Nigeria

Contraband intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Intervention Units and Federal Operations Units (FOUs) most often consists of cargo in transit from seaports to bound terminals or warehouses.

To this end, many bonded terminals in and around the country are known for being used to evade duty payment to the federal government, import contraband such as used clothing, banned drugs such as Tramadol, Codeine, and in some extreme cases, arms and ammunition.

For instance, in July 2024, the service in Lagos and Onne, Port Harcourt intercepted nine containers bearing offensive items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs and second-hand clothing, with a total duty paid value of N13.915 billion onboard private bonded terminals.

Through a thorough examination, the container contained alarming contents such as 844 units of rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

The breakdown is as follows: 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmakers, Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmaker Double Barrel rifles 20 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmaker Single Barrel rifles, Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).

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The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the single container was N4.171 billion.

Speaking on the Lagos seizure, the comptroller general of customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said, “The importer tried to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a private bonded terminal. On Friday, June 21st, 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination, hence the discovery.”

In another development, the custom CG said officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container in transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.

“The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol tablets (5mg), Duty-paid value: N9.60 billion. Two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes, with the duty-paid value of N144 million.  The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is N13.915 billion.”

Adeniyi said the licences and permits issued for the operation of all the warehouses and terminals, as well as those of their customs agents involved in these cases, have been suspended pending the determination of their involvement.

However, in keeping an eagle eye on bonded terminals in Lagos, especially under the jurisdiction of the Tin Can Island command, the controller, Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Compt. Frank Onyeka has wielded a strong stick on bonded terminals.

This is apparently to ensure that the rules of the game are not abused and to ensure proper coordination of the activities of the terminals under his command.

The move may not be unconnected with speculations that some of the bonded terminals simply serve as conduit pipes through which revenue to the government is lost.

Therefore, the command is taking stern measures to ensure it meets its revenue target of about N1.5 trillion for the year. Beyond the revenue generation phenomenon, Onyeka wants to ensure that bonded terminals are not used for illegal operations. The controller said he is determined to address the challenges of sharp practices in bonded terminals.

He disclosed that some of the sharp practices in the bonded terminals have been dismantled. Part of this, he said, is in placing a lot of scrutiny on transit containers.

Onyeka stated further that the measure includes checking the incessant and unwarranted transfer of consignments from the mother port to external bonded terminals. Some of the transfers in the past had been suspected to be for illegitimate purposes, a development believed to have negatively impacted appropriate revenue collection.

However, the controller disclosed that the Command has been able to curb some of the traders’ nefarious activities so far, adding that the mother port and terminals are working optimally, even more actively than before.

He revealed that most documents are treated at the mother port, with consignments no longer allowed to go to other terminals except when fully utilised.

Among the stern measures in place, the Area Controller said, is that he does not sign any document he is unsure of its authenticity, insisting that terminal operators cannot serve as a weak link in their operations.

He said, “We take into cognisance national security, trade facilitation and so on. Once your consignment is the same as your declaration after the examination is made, your goods will be released. Our officers are in different places monitoring. We equally carry out strong sensitisation on customs clearing agents. The implication is that unscrupulous bonded terminal operators and their customs agents are no longer able to swindle the country or have a field day.

“The service is more determined than before to facilitate trade. This will be done without choking the business community and ensuring that we do not undercharge on duties.

“Let me say that before I came, TICT was not completely public in the quote, but as far as we are concerned, we have improved on that, and I can tell you for free, and this is verifiable, that TICT is more active than ever before. This is because I insisted that the rules of engagement should reflect trade facilitation and an utmost governance system that promotes balance and fairness.”

Aware that the Tin Can Island Port has been associated with smuggling activities over the decades, the controller assured that he would do everything to check this trend. Various items, including drugs, illegal arms, and other items worth billions of naira, have been seized in the port.

Onyeka said that under his watch, no smuggling will be allowed. However, while on this stance, he assured that he was determined to promote trade facilitation. He said, “We are very sensitive to trade facilitation; we try to sensitise the business community, encourage them and ensure we generate collectable revenue.

“As valuation officers, we will never be under charge, and we are not here to choke importers. If we don’t apply decency, it will be difficult to achieve trade facilitation, which is one of our core mandates.”

Another measure Onyeka has introduced that excites importers and freight forwarders is eliminating the tradition of multiple alerts.

The command has enthroned a one-stop-shop operation, which eliminates multiple alerts.  In the past, multiple alert systems were a nightmare for importers and freight forwarders.

The scenario was such that, as an examination of containers was carried out and the items released at some point, the movement could be halted following the incidence of multiple alerts. This was frustrating as it meant more rounds of payments and settlements.