The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted various contraband with Duty Paid Value(DPV) in excess of N2Billion between July 25th to August 7th 2018.
The outgoing Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Comptroller Muhammad Ubah, who said this while displaying some of the seized goods to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos, also disclosed that eight suspects were arrested in connection with the 25 seizures.
He said that notably among the seizures was the interception of a MAN Diesel truck carrying 2, 748 cartons of Codeine.
He also said that since the federal government banned the importation of Codeine related drugs into the country, the unit has intercepted the substance twice.
He told journalists that: "It is my desire to inform you that our reinvigorated effort in anti smuggling drive in South West Zone, the Federal Operations Unit FOU A, of the Nigeria Customs Service, between July 25th to August 7th 2018 has intercepted various contrabands with DPV of N2, 055, 322, 389.84. Notably among the seizures was the interception of MAN Diesel Truck with registration number XB 286 BEN along Afromedia Estate by Egbeda junction beside Alaba International carrying 2,784 cartons of DSP Code in cough syrup 100mg(100 per carton) and 95 cartons of Chaka pain Xtra based on information"
"This is the second time in a row the unit is intercepting this substance since the federal government banned the importation of cough syrup that contains Codeine"
According to him, based on some cartons of Tramadol capsules were evacuated from a warehouse in Ajao Estate even as he said that the drugs will be handed over to the appropriate authority.
"The substance is valued at N1, 175, 200, 000.00. Also 49cartons of Tramadol capsules 100mg were evacuated from warehouse in Ajao Estate based on information . The drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation"
Speaking further, he said that among the remarkable seizures made by the unit within the weeks under review was the evacuation of 21 sacks of Pangolin Scales and Elephant Tusks.
"Similarly and more remarkably among the seizures was the evacuation of 21 sacks of Pangolin scales weighing 1, 031kg and 4pieces of Elephant Tusks weighing 29.35kg from a shop located in Tejosho market, Victoria Island based on information by the warehouse operation team led by AC Mutalib Sule"
He also explained that investigations are still ongoing as to apprehend the occupants of the warehouse who fled when they sited customs officers.
"The occupants of the shop fled and are still at large but investigations is already ongoing towards getting the culprits arrested and prosecuted"
Ubah, said that the seized endangered species have a DPV of N253, 566, 057.7 even as he explained that trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited.
The trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited, hence the need for us all to fight against such illegality so that such endangered species do not go into extinction "
He also said that the unit within the weeks under review, intercepted on Ford transit bus with engine number, XL32452L along Olorunda axis of Ogun state conveying sacks and 1,220 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 1, 610kg concealed with baskets of fresh tomatoes, pepper and vegetables.
"In the spirit of interagency relationship the seized substances will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation " he concluded.
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