The Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has intercepted seven containers loaded with second hand clothes, 989 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products including tramadol and other contraband goods worth N223.2 million.
Displaying the seized contraband at the Apapa port in Lagos on Thursday, Controller of the Command, Yusuf Malanta, said the goods were seized within the past three weeks.
Malanta explained that the consignment was an outright seizure because it breaches the provisions of section 46, 47 and 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN 2004.
The Customs boss disclosed that the command, acting on its manifest management system, also intercepted a container load of tramadol imported into the country from India.
He said the container, which was manifested as ceramic tiles on the bill of lading, was found to contain 554 cartons of tramadol capsules upon physical examination.
“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 Comptroller General is upheld and 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 number SEGU1793504 manifested as ceramic tiles. Upon 100 per cent physical examination to ascertain its true content, it was found to contain 554 cartons of tramadol capsules (120mg) concealed with 1000 cartons of ceramic tiles.
“The consignment came in from India; then it was shipped to Lome and from there, we were able to trace the consignment up to Nigeria,” he said.
Malanta warned the trading public to desist from unlawful importation, maintaining that the command will not relent in its efforts in ensuring that those bent on circumventing the system are brought to book.
