Onne Customs intercepts 21 containers laden with drugs, donkey skin worth N46bn

…Generates over N500b revenue in 10 months

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Area 2 Command, Onne, Rivers State, has announced seizure of 21 containers of illegally imported drugs and donkey skins worth over N46.399 billion.

The command revealed that in collaboration with sister agencies as National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Directorate of State Services(DSS), Quarantine, NAFDAC and etc, it has made yet another significant seizure of illicit and counterfeit drugs that pose serious threat to public health and safety as well as donkey skin.

Briefing journalists on Monday, Customs Area Controller(CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Ndede, stated that the twenty(20) 40-foot containers were drugs while the one (1) 20-foot container had donkey skin.

Ndede stated that the command since January to 11 November, 2024 has generated 89 percent of its 2024 revenue target of N618 billion.

According to him, it was exactly two months and seven days since the Controller General of Customs(CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, visited Onne Port during which he showcased series of significant seizures including arms and ammunition confiscated by officers of the Command.

CGC Adeniyi

Stated that in line with the CGC’s Policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration that granted it authority to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of whether their owners were present.

Given, the controller gave a breakdown of the items to include: 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough Syrup Codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac.

Others he listed as 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tamil, and 7,665,000 tablets of 200mg counterfeit Gonorrhoea Antibiotics without a NAFDAC number, among others.

Ndede reeled thus further, “The Duty Paid Value of the 21 containers totals N46,399,199,810, while the Duty Paid Value for the donkey skins is N441,000,000.

The eagle eyes of the officers he said intercepted the items at the entry point underscoring commitment, as some of the drugs had been concealed under plumbing materials and local grinding tools to avoid detection.

Ndede said, “Regarding anti-smuggling activities, under my stewardship this year, including the latest seizures displayed here, we have made a total of 63 container seizures, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition,” among others.

He disclosed that the Duty Paid Value of seizures made so far, for breaches of various customs laws and procedural standards, totals N130,562,660,407.

Ndede also noted that exports play a crucial role in promoting Nigeria’s economic growth, creating jobs, and maintaining a favourable balance of trade and exchange rate for the naira against the dollar.

“In this Command, a total of 2,436,408.33 metric tonnes of goods, with a free-on-board value of $826,613,015.87, has been processed,” he stated.

On revenue generation this year, Ndede said, “As of this morning, the Command has generated total revenue of N550,431,559,598.41 billion.

“This translates to 89 per cent of the annual target of N618 billion set for the Command.”

Comptroller Ndede also reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the latest seizures, with investigations ongoing.

In the area of Trade facilitation, the Command he said utilized World Customs Organization(WCO) trade facilitation tool of Time Release Study (TRS) to generate maximum revenue which its utilization has generated unprecedented.

The seized items were handed over to relevant agencies as NDLEA and Quarantine. Items intended for National Agency for Food Drug and Control(NAFDAC) will be sent at a later date by the command.