Tin-can Customs Rakes In Over N1.046trn In 10 Months

...Impounds 16 Containers Of Illicit, Unregistered Drugs

Rahanetu Abuh & Omolade 

Harboursandports.com: Lagos- November 7, 2024: Tin-can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Thursday said it has collected over N1.046 trillion as revenue between January and October this year.

Customs Area Controller, CAC of the Command, Dera Nnadi who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos, also said that the Command impounded 16 containers of Illicit drugs and unregistered pharmacitical products with Duty Paid Value, DPV worth N37 billion.

The Customs boss attributed the huge revenue collection by the Command which is the first time of achieving the over N1 trillion mark, to stakeholders voluntary compliance in support of the reforms in the Command.

According to him, "We are glad to announce that several of our stakeholders share our vision of voluntary compliance and are supporting our reforms in the Command. 

"With the cooperation of these category of stakeholders and a few others who have been encouraged to comply through our enlightenment programs, we are glad to announce that the Command as at today, the 7th of November 2024 has generated the N1,046 trillion.

"I dedicate this achievement to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team. 

"The Command acknowledges the specific roles of the Deputy Comptroller General, DCG of Customs, Tariff and Trade as well as the DCG ICT /Modernization for their contributions too. "Aware that a secured border will translate to more revenue at the seaports, we also appreciate the support of the DCG Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection in enforcing compliance among our stakeholders leading to the increased revenue in the Command.  

"we are unveiling 16 seizures of illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other items by the Command.  

"Summary of drug importation activities at Tin-can Island Port are a total of 16 containers which were discharged between May 17 to October 23, 2024.

"The imported drugs include Codeine-based products. Numerous shipments of cough syrups with codeine; Barcadin with Codeine, Broncleer with Codeine, and DSP with Codeine for throat and chesty cough (100ml, 200 bottles per carton).

Tapentadol & Carisoprodol: 420 cartons of Royal 225 (Tapentadol HVCL 125mg and Carisoprodol BP 100mg).

Benzhexol Tablets: 200 cartons of 5mg Benzhexol Tablets (Brand: Trodal).

Cannabis Indica: 77 packets (38.5kg), 532 packets (265.025kg), and 75 packets (37.5kg).

Diclofenac Sodium Tablets: Really Extra brand (50mg, 100 packs per carton).

"Other goods are Ceiling fans, Deluxe Chilli Cutters, stainless steel blenders, Biomal Artesunate Injection."

The above items were shipped into the country through, SpilKartika (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2417W), Volana (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2416W, 2421W), Maliako (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2421W), Wadi Bani Khalid (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2423W), MSC Sweden VI and MSC Katyayni NY427A."

Nnadi also disclosed that the country of origin of seized items includeIndia (Barcadin, Diclofenac Tablets, Benzhexol, CSP with Codeine), United Kingdom,(Biomal Artesunate Injection), Canada (Cannabis Indica).

 

The estimated street value of a carton of tramadol is about N25 million, multiplied by 920 cartons gives a total N23 billion while a bottle of Codeine is sold for N7,000 and when multiplied by 1,894, 600 bottles brings the total value to over N13 billion.

The cost of the 341.025 kilogramme Cannabis Indica, popularly known as Indian Hemp, is N682 million; bringing the total value of them all to N37 billion. 

"These containers were inspected by multiple enforcement agencies including Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

"Consequently, we are handing over a total of 13 Containers of Unregistered pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC. "Recall that on October 2, 2024, the Tin-can Island Port Command officially handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 341.025 kg, with an estimated street value of N682illion. 

"These narcotics were discovered in three 40 feet containers Nos: MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3), as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination.

"The Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with local and foreign partner security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country. 

"We are more than committed to deliver on this mandate. 

"Aware that yuletide is around the corner, I wish to reassure all our stakeholders that the Command will partner with those who are compliant to ensure there are no delays in their cargo delivery. "Similarly, we are also using this opportunity to inform those who will dare our resolve that we are ready to enforce the requirements of our law," he concluded.