Onne customs impounds 22 containers of illicit drugs, generates N550bn in 10 months

The Nigerian Customs Area 2 Command, Onne, Rivers State, has disclosed that it impounded 20 numbers of 40ft containers and one 20ft container laden with different kinds of illicit drugs.

It said the command also confiscated a 20ft container filled with donkey skins. 

The Command also said that it generated a revenue valued at N550,431,559,598.41bn in 10 months.

Displaying the impounded containers before journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Customs Area Controller, Area 2 Command, Mohammed Babandede, said the security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through the port led to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency where the command has been granted the authority to scrutinise all suspected containers.

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He said the command, in collaboration with other sister agencies in implementing the state of emergency, impounded the containers which contained 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml cough syrup codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg trodol Benzhexol and 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tramadol. 

Other drugs impounded, according to Babandede, were 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml counterfeit gonorrhoea antibiotics without NAFDAC number, 15,600,000 tablets of fake 4mg chlophenamine, 33,840,00 tablets of 2mg fake Lomotil loperamine, 19,430 pieces of Chilly cutter used for concealment, 20,238 pieces of sanitary fittings used for concealment and many others.

He put the duty paid value of the 21 containers impounded at N46,399,119,810 and the duty paid value for the donkey skin at N441,000,000.

“You will recall exactly two months ago; the Controller General of Customs was in Onne Port where he showcased series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. Twelve containers were displayed of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and meticulous physical examination. 

In the area of revenue generation, Babandede said as of Monday, November 11, 2024, the command has generated a sum of N550,431,559,598.41bn which, he said, translates to 89% of the annual target of N618bn given to the command.