Operatives attached to the Tin-Can Island Port Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have reportedly turned down an offer of N50million bribe from a suspected fake drug importer at the port.
The command’s Area Controller, Adekunle Oloyede, who said this in a statement released in Lagos on Monday, said the suspect was among those arrested for allegedly importing two containers of banned drugs through the port.
The imports, which originated from India, were valued at N550.2 million. They include 175,200 bottles of CSMIX cough syrup codeine stacked in 876 cartons with each carton containing 200 bottles.
Oloyede said the banned drugs were concealed among cartons of manual grater machine and ceiling fans in two containers marked marked MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1.
“Two suspects have been arrested and are presently in the custody of the enforcement unit in accordance with the investigation process of the service. One of the suspects in custody, Boniface Ike accepted that he is the owner of the two containers and sought to discuss privately with OC Enforcement DC G.I. Aliyu and Team Manager of CIU, AC H. Abubakar.
“I instructed my officers to play along. The request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50,000,000 (equivalent to $54,330) at the current exchange rate N920. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit to be tendered as exhibit,” he said.
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