The Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) Tin-Can Port Command, today Thursday, said it has unveiled sixteen (16) significant seizures of illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other items with the Total Duty Paid Value [DPV] of N37,000,000,000.00 Thirty Seven Billion Naira Only as the Command generated the sum of . [1,046,496,593,103.60] One Trillion, Forty Six Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand, One Hundred and Three Naira Sixty Kobo as at today 7th November, 2024.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Customs Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi said that this is the first time in the history of the Command that such revenue is being collected.
According to Comptroller Nnadi, “We are glad to announce that with the cooperation of our stakeholders and a few others who have been encouraged to comply through our enlightenment programs, the Command as at today the 7th of November 2024 has generated the sum of N1,046,496,593,103.60.
“The Command wishes to celebrate this milestone of collecting over One Trillion Naira as Customs duty being the first time this has been achieved in its history.
“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 DCG Tariff and Trade and 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 & Inspection in enforcing compliance among our stakeholders leading to the increased revenue in the Command.
“While we celebrate our esteemed stakeholders who embraced our reforms and complied with Customs extant laws and guidelines, those who did not are regretting their loss and the pain of non compliance.
“Today, we are unveiling 16 significant seizures of illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other items seized by the Command. All sixteen containers are on display for this press briefing, and I will now provide you with the details of these significant seizures.
“The 16 containers were discharged from May 17 to October 23, 2024. They include: 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, BiomalArtesunate Injection.
“The following vessels brought in this banned products: SpilKartika (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2417W); Volana (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2416W, 2421W); Maliako (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2421W); WadiBani Khalid (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2423W); and MSC Sweden VI and MSC Katyayni NY427A.
“The banned drugs originated from India (Barcadin, Diclofenac Tablets, Benzhexol, CSP with Codeine); United Kingdom (BiomalArtesunate Injection); Canada (Cannabis Indica).
“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 ₦682,050,000.00. These narcotics were discovered in three 40ft 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.”
