By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has announced yet another seizure of a 1x20ft container of Tramadol.
According to the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, the drugs were laden in a 20ft container with numbers; PCIU 0183241falsely declared as Static Converter and Switches.
Showcasing the seizure to journalists, Malanta said the command also intercepted another container with numbers; TCKU7580597 transiting to Kano Inland Container Terminal ladened with used clothing but manifested as Installation Fitting materials.
Compt. Malanta said the port of origin of the Tramadol is Singapore, but that in order to cover up their tracks, the importers moved the cargo from one country to another including Hong Kong and China.
Giving breakdown of the contents of the container the customs boss said the container contained 69 cartons of 250mg Tramadol and 81 Cartons of 250Mg Tramadol and each of the cartons according to him, contain 72 rolls and each roll contains 10 packets and each packet contains 10 satchels and each satchels contain 10 tablets.
According to Malanta, “Credible intelligence received on the content of the cargo proved positive as the containers were tracked, traced and intercepted by our officers from the port of loading to the port of destination after passing through several port of call;
“This intelligence is mainly received due to the service inter-departmental cooperation, collaboration and synergy within the government agencies in the port. We all know that we cannot do it all alone to make the port a better place for legitimate trade to thrive”.
“This is also to reiterate our resolve that any attempt to bring in drugs and any prohibited item through the Apapa port will be uncovered and the perpetrators of such act shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We all know that the Nigeria Customs Service alone cannot do it, for a better service delivery at the port, therefore there is need for collaboration between us and other government agencies.
Compt. Malanta assured that any illicit trade, not only in terms of drugs, but any un-customs items would be intercepted.
He however said “Our efforts at collaboration is so strong that it cannot be broken, we are fully at alert, the CGC and his management team has given us the IT structure which we would use to track illicit trade.
“We are going into full investigation to determine the worth of the drugs because a declaration has not been put in, we don’t just want to take chances, or found out that the container has been transited. The moment we get the information, we go straight to apprehend the container and examine it.
“However, we have a bill of laden which is a cardinal point for declaration and this is where we are tracing the consignee
“The product started from Hong Kong, to China, it had gone to four port of call before coming to Nigeria” he said.
Still speaking, Comptroller Malanta said it falls under outright seizure under
Section 46, 47 of CEMA Cap 45 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are going to investigate this issue through the manifest and declaration and ensure the culprit its are brought to book” he assured
Apapa Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr Ameh Inalogwu stated that the agency had earlier on Thursday received seizures of tramadol from customs but that the Friday seizure was twice the number.
“This is twice the number of Tramadol that was showcased at Apapa on Thursday in terms of the milligrams. Medically, 50mg is the allowed gram”.
He said the process of destruction of the drugs would be expedited after the courts have concluded all legal issues.
