By Uzor Odigbo
The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has seized 554 cartons of 120mg tramadol and other prohibited items being smuggled through the port with total duty paid value of N223,225,900.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Customs Area Controller of the command, Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, said that the tramadol tablets were tracked and intercepted through manifest management system.
According to Yusuf, other items seized includes one unit of 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 with One container of unregistered pharmaceutical product in 989 cartons of Mixagrip tabs wrongfully declared as Winches and gaskets.
Yusuf added that “the Command has
launched a preliminary investigation with a view to identifying the consignees for arrest and possible prosecution in connection with this criminal and unlawful importation”
He said “Barely three weeks after I resumed duty, I came in with strong determination, zeal and commitment to ensure that the confidence and trust bestowed on me by the CGC is upheld not abused. In line with that, the command’s anti-smuggling architecture has been redesigned to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
“Acting on Manifest Management system, we were able to track and intercept a container No. 1793504 manifested as ceramic tiles. Upon 100% physical examination to ascertain its true contents, it was found to contain 554 cartons of Tramadol capsules (120mg) concealed with 1000 cartons of ceramic tiles. Furthermore, with the support of my Management team we are able to make the following intervention:
• One (1) 40ft container loaded with sacks of mosquito coil products
but declared as Ground paper and packaging paper bag.
• Seven (7) containers loaded with bales of used clothing and shoes
• One (1) container of unregistered pharmaceutical product (989
cartons of Mixagrip tabs) wrongfully declared as Winches andgaskets.
“At this point, it is noteworthy 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 and provision of schedule 4 (17) of the
Common External Tariff.
“Based on the foregoing, the Command has
launched a preliminary investigation with a view to identifying the consignees for arrest and possible prosecution in connection with this criminal and unlawful importation.
“The Total Duty Paid Value of the aforementioned seizures stood at N223,225,900
“I want to use this medium to assure members of the business community that the command will increase sensitization, 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. “This Command under my watch will not tolerate such kind of unlawful behavior from any importer or declarant,” he said.
