Nigeria Customs Intercepts N11 Billion Worth of Illicit Drugs, Collects N312 Billion in Six Months
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Rivers State, has announced the interception of seven containers loaded with illicit drugs valued at over N11 billion. Additionally, the command reported a revenue collection of more than N312 billion within the first half of 2024.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Onne, Rivers State, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, recounted the recent visit of the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on July 1, 2024. During this visit, Adeniyi briefed the press on the command’s efforts to enhance border security and ensure public safety.
Babandede expressed regret that despite the Customs boss’s warnings, certain individuals persist in their unpatriotic acts of circumventing importation guidelines and procedures. He emphasized that, despite the nation’s challenging security environment, the Area II Command continues to bolster its security operations to protect the sea port and thwart those with malicious intentions.
“It is with joy that I inform you that the command has achieved another significant breakthrough against these unpatriotic elements, as evidenced by today’s seizures,” Babandede stated.
He elaborated that, following credible intelligence on some 40-foot containers, the command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Onne Port Chapter, identified, positioned, and jointly examined the containers in the presence of other relevant agencies. This operation resulted in the seizure of seven containers.
Babandede detailed the contents of the seized containers, which included 1,054,400 bottles of various codeine cough syrups (100ml), 9,100 pieces of chilly cutters, 2,175,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg), and 1,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief (50mg). The total value of these seizures is estimated at N11.2 billion, representing a significant financial loss for those involved, who also face potential jail terms pending further investigations.
He lamented the unrepentant nature of some Nigerians who continue their illegal activities despite repeated losses. The seized cough syrups and tablets will be formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
Babandede warned that the command, under the current Comptroller General of Customs, would not tolerate any actions compromising the nation’s economy and security.
Regarding revenue generation, Babandede disclosed that the command generated N312,094,367,124.58 in the first half of 2024, achieving 50.5 percent of its annual target. As of the morning of the briefing, the command had generated N48,056,806,692.00 in July alone, with five working days remaining in the month.
“We are determined to increase our revenue profile while tirelessly working to protect public health and safety,” Babandede vowed.
