Customs Intercept Contrabands Worth N13.5bn At Onne Port

The Area 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 20 containers loaded with illicit drugs and other outlawed products with N13,573,430,630:00 market value at the Onne Port in Rivers State.

While 17 of the containers were loaded with codeine syrup and tramadol, the remaining three had contraband products such as machetes, cartons of tomato pasta and gallons of vegetable oil.

Briefing journalists on the development at Onne on Wednesday, outgoing Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Babandede said the illicit drugs were imported from India, with Nigerian market as their target.

“The Command successfully intercepted a total of 20 containers, with a combined Duty Paid Value of Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Dour Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Six Hundred band Thirty Naira.

“These medicines were imported from India, targeted at the Nigerian market. While being calculative at evading regulatory scrutiny, the drugs were carefully smuggled using the tactics of concealing them under the guise of regular imports,” he said.

Babandede, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller-General of Customs, said Nigeria has long struggled with the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medications, which pose a significant risk to public health, including potentially fatal outcomes.

He noted that, “Some people take illicit medicines for different reasons without a professional medical prescription. For example, codeine syrup and tramadol might be misused for their euphoric effect or to feel relaxed, which often leads to addiction, dependence and crime.”

In order to protect public health and combat drug trafficking, he said the Nigerian government has banned the importation of certain medications, including counterfeit drugs and substances like codeine and tramadol.

“Those measure aims to ensure safe medicines, tackle fake drugs issues and reduce drug addiction, which poses serious health and security challenges,” he said.